North West Chartered Financial Planning firm Clarion Wealth has hired Jonnie Whittle as its new managing director.

Mr Whittle, who first joined the business as a Financial Planner, will continue to work with individual clients to develop financial plans and will be responsible for supporting the growth of the firm as well as overseeing staff development. 

During his career, Mr Whittle has gained extensive management experience, having previously worked as managing director of a private equity-backed Financial Planning practice based in Manchester and London, as well as directing joint ventures with accountants throughout the North West.

As part of the restructure, former head of Paraplanning Adam Wareing has been promoted to an adviser role, with Clarion now looking to grow its Paraplanning team.

The firm’s founder Ron Walker will continue to advise individual clients, while also moving into a strategic role building relationships with new clients and professionals, while setting the overall vision for Clarion. 

Mr Walker said: “With Jonnie managing the day to day running of the firm, I will have more opportunity to concentrate on the long-term vision for Clarion, ensuring we’re in a good position to continue to provide true lifelong Financial Planning for many years to come.”

Mr Whittle added: “Clarion’s greatest asset is the amount of emphasis that is placed on the interaction between personal and professional affairs, it is this unique focus that has allowed us to go from strength to strength – and this is something I will continue to emphasise.” 

Based in Cheshire, Clarion is a boutique wealth planning firm that has recently invested in a rebrand, overhauling its logo and developing a new website. The firm has also recently expanded into a new 5,600 square foot three-story headquarters in Alderley Edge, Cheshire.

The firm has recently commissioned independent research, believed to be the first of its kind globally, to gain a greater understanding of the psychological stresses business owners face when going through the process of selling their business.