Heartwood Investment Management, part of Svenska Handelsbanken, has recruited Chris Whittingham from Kent-based Chartered Financial Planners AV Trinity as intermediary client director.

Mr Whittingham’s role will be to help develop and manage Heartwood’s financial adviser business solution and distribution strategy. He was business development manager at AV Trinity responsible for implementing business development plans with new initiatives and developing new client relationships.

Prior to this he was regional sales manager at Novia Financial where he was helped build the company’s presence in the South East. He has also worked at Zurich Intermediary Group as senior sales manager and began his career as a broker consultant with Equity & Law Life Assurance Society.

Heartwood says that the latest appointment highlights its focus on providing business solutions to Financial Planning firms.

Mark Rockliffe, head of professional intermediary sales at Heartwood, said: “We are delighted to welcome Chris to Heartwood. He brings a wealth of experience and an impressive reputation in the intermediary sector. He will play a key role in the development of our business with Financial Planning firms.”

Mr Whittingham said: “I am thrilled to be joining such a widely experienced team at Heartwood Investment Management. In a crowded sector, I believe Heartwood’s approach to working with Financial Planning firms, anchored around a highly competitive, investor-centric investment proposition will play a key part in helping Financial Planning firms flourish and deliver improved investment outcomes for their clients.

“Heartwood’s strong investment track record and fast growing client base makes this an exciting time to join the firm and I look forward to being part of Heartwood’s future.”