Adviser network Openwork has appointed Helen Longland as principal director of its business school.

She will take charge of technical training and the soft skills offering provided by the school which focuses on financial advice development and related skills.

Ms Longland has joined from wealth manager St James’s Place where she was divisional director, learning and development. 

There she developed programmes to support new-to-profession joiners into commercially confident, competent financial advisers. She has also held several other learning and development positions at Lloyds Banking Group and Standard Life.

In her new role she will report into Carrie Morris, chief people officer.

Ms Morris said: “As The Openwork Partnership’s academic institute, the Business School plays a key role in delivering our strategic objectives. Helen will help us propel the business school forward while it continues to play an integral role in the future and growth of the partnership.”

Helen Longland said: “Training the next generation of advisers is at the heart of the Openwork Partnership’s mission.”

The Openwork Partnership is one of the UK’s largest financial services networks more than 4,300 financial advisers operating across the UK. It operates as a directly-authorised, multi-panel distribution network.

It operates panels for pensions, annuities, and protection (life assurance, critical illness, General Insurance). Omnis Investments, the investment arm of the group, offers a range of investment funds as well as a managed portfolio service.

The Openwork Group is majority-owned by the Openwork Partnership LLP with its employees holding a minority stake.