Financial Planner and wealth manager Evelyn Partners has hired former Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) senior investigator Annabel Kerley.

She joins the firm’s forensic sciences team as head of fraud and financial crime.

Ms Kerley joins from forensic firm StoneTurn where she founded the London investigations practice. She is also the chair of the Private Prosecutors’ Association.

She will build and expand the Financial Planning firm’s forensic services practice.

During her 20-year career Ms Kerley has led investigations into asset misappropriation, employee misconduct, financial misstatement, sanctions breaches, market abuse and misleading statements in civil, regulatory and criminal contexts.

David Alexander, head of forensic sciences at Evelyn Partners, said: “With financial crime on the rise, organisations operating today increasingly require specialist forensic support to protect value in their business. Annabel offers unique expertise gained across a wide range of geographies, industries and regulators to help clients mitigate the impact of fraud and misconduct. 

“Annabel’s ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and deploy the latest forensic technology and forensic accounting techniques make her a valuable addition to the Evelyn Partners team.” 

Evelyn Partners was formed following the merger of Tilney and Smith & Williamson in 2020. It is one of the largest UK wealth managers and has offices in 26 towns and cities in the UK, as well as the Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands.

The firm reported a sharp rise in group operating income in the third quarter due to strong new business inflows.

The company reported earlier this month that group operating income in Q3 was £151.7m, up over £10m on the same period last year (Q3 2021: £140.4 million). 

The company said it had seen continued growth in its financial services and professional services arms despite challenging conditions.