A former IFP director has landed a new role following the completion of the merger with the CISI.

Cath Faulds, who was business development director at the organisation's old Bristol offices before the merger was finalised earlier this month, has joined the SimplyBiz Group. All IFP employees had been offered a new role at the CISI during the merger process but Ms Faulds was not among staff to make the move to London.

Ms Faulds takes up the position of head of strategic relationships, which is a newly created role. 

Ms Faulds, who was at the IFP for 12 years, will work with the existing strategic relationships team in managing the group’s relationships with product providers.

This includes ensuring advisers are given access to all relevant tools, services and information from third-parties to help them develop their businesses and continue to provide the highest level of service to clients.

Ms Faulds previously held a number of key roles at the IFP before becoming a director, including business development manager and head of business development before joining their senior management team in January 2015.

Ms Faulds said: “I’ve enjoyed my time with IFP and learned so much. I am now very much looking forward to taking on this new challenge at the SimplyBiz Group, supporting the professional development of financial advisers and planners.

“I look forward to working with the team here to provide even stronger resources for members including information on products and propositions to help them deliver an even more valuable service for their clients - and to run even better businesses too.”

Matt Timmins, joint managing director of The SimplyBiz Group, said: “The entire SimplyBiz Group team are delighted to welcome Cath on board.

“It is evident upon meeting Cath that she cares deeply about the financial advisory community, and her previous experience at IFP means that she brings with her a wealth of experience which will prove highly valuable in this new role.

“The IFP works with advisers who wish to grow their skills and develop further professionally; this fits in perfectly with the ethos of the SimplyBiz Group and our commitment to helping our Member Firms achieve their full potential.”

The appointment is the latest in a series of developments to The SimplyBiz Group’s senior structure which includes the appointment of ex-Zurich director to the position of non-executive director and the creation of an Executive Management Board to oversee the delivery of group strategy.