Heartwood has appointed Mark Rockliffe as Head of Intermediary Sales to spearhead the firm’s development of a new investment management proposition targeting the independent financial adviser market.  Mark joined at the beginning of June and will be based in the firm’s London office.

Heartwood’s IFA proposition will target firms who are looking to take advantage of RDR by focusing on the advice aspect of their client process and at the same time, outsource the investment management element of their clients’ financial planning needs.

Mark has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry with a major focus on building and running intermediary distribution channels. He was most recently Sales Director at SEI Investments, where he was responsible for shaping and implementing the firm’s asset management distribution strategy within the intermediary, private banking and corporate pensions markets. 

Prior to this he worked as a business strategy consultant where he was retained by Octopus Investments to develop its distribution strategy and launch its new Discretionary Fund Management service.  Mark also consulted to Best Practice IFA Group to help shape its platform strategy, value proposition and recruitment strategy.   Previously Mark worked for F&C Investments as UK Intermediary Sales Director, having spent the previous 17 years at Zurich Intermediary Group in a variety of senior sales management roles.

Rockliffe noted: “With the approach of RDR, many IFA firms are busy developing their business models and client service propositions. With the need for advice greater than ever, they are looking to take advantage of the opportunities RDR offers, focusing on growing their businesses through nurturing existing clients, cultivating relationships with new clients, introducers and potential acquisition targets. As part of these developments, many IFA firms are keen on a strategic partnership with an investment manager like Heartwood, allowing them to spend their time on core activities, leveraging their key skills and capabilities.”

Guy Hudson, Head of Client Services and Distribution at Heartwood commented: “We are delighted that Mark will be bringing his expertise to the team and leading this new strategic business unit focused on the IFA community.  Heartwood’s investment proposition has been designed to meet the needs of some of the wealthiest and most sophisticated investors in the country, and Mark’s experience of the IFA landscape will be invaluable in enabling Heartwood to extend these investment management capabilities to a wider client audience”.

Heartwood Investment Management is responsible for Heartwood’s investment management proposition, and its disciplined process and consistent results have been recognised recently with a number of nominations for investment performance awards. Heartwood launched a range of Multi Asset Funds, in the period from December 2009 to June 2010 and these have attracted in the region of £500m since inception. Since May 2007, and during the period of the credit crisis, total assets under management and administration have grown over 70% to £1.39 billion.