Adviser network Openwork has strengthened its ambition to grow its UK financial advice proposition with the appointment of a new a head of recruitment and development.

Claire Limon moves to Openwork from Owl Financial, Openwork’s protection only business.

The firm says Ms Limon will “seek to drive the growth of Openwork’s wealth advisers across the business and will be responsible for increasing the number of holistic advisers in the network through recruitment as well as supporting the adviser training and development programme.” 

Her role will also encompass ownership and expansion of Openwork’s academy programme, which is aimed at encouraging people with no significant financial services experience to enter pensions and investment advice as a second career.
 
She has more than 20 years financial services experience in both the insurance and adviser sector. 

Before joining Owl Financial as head of national sales in August 2017, Ms Limon served as retail director for Countrywide Plc, having previously held the position of head of insurance at Halifax Bank of Scotland.
 
Mike Morrow, wealth and platform director at Openwork, said: “As we enter 2019, the continued expansion and development of our financial advice provision across the country remains a crucial strategic objective. 

“Claire’s leadership, appetite for innovation and tremendous industry expertise will be instrumental as we look to leverage the full breadth of our capabilities across the network, and ultimately deliver to the needs of our clients. 

“We’re thrilled to have someone of Claire’s experience on board.”
 
Ms Limon said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Openwork at such an exciting time of growth. 

“I’m passionate about providing existing advisers with the opportunities to develop and committed to nurturing new talent.”
 
Openwork has 3,800 financial advisers operating across the UK, it operates as a directly authorised, multi-panel distribution network.