Standard Life Wealth strengthens leadership team with trio of appointments

Edinburgh-based discretionary fund manager, Standard Life Wealth, is continuing to progress its ambitious grow plans with the promotion of John Hair to Chief Investment Officer, and Julie-Ann Ashcroft to Head of Investments, alongside Darren Ripton.

Reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer, Richard Charnock, Mr Hair will have responsibility for the overall performance of Standard Life Wealth’s investment portfolios, which have over £6.7 billion assets under management, and will form part of the firm’s leadership team based in London.

Alongside his duties as CIO, he will continue to manage portfolios for charities, private clients, trusts and pensions.

Julie-Ann Ashcroft, meanwhile, will report into Mr Hair, and will assume overall responsibility for Standard Life Wealth’s Conventional portfolios, as well as managing The Balanced Bridge Fund, and the Standard Life Wealth Offshore Income Fund.

Mr Ripton will continue in his role as Head of Investments, having responsibility for the oversight of Standard LifeWealth’s Target Return portfolios.

Both Mr Hair and Ms Ashcroft moved to Standard Life Wealth following the acquisition of Newton private client business in 2013.

Standard Life Wealth CEO Richard Charnock, said: “We are delighted that John has accepted the role of Chief Investment Officer. It is testament to the depth of talent we have in the business that we were able to fill this role internally. John’s expertise in investment management equips him well, and his leadership skills will help drive our ambition to be a leading player in the discretionary investment management sector.

“Julie-Ann is a first class Investment Manager with exceptional investment skills and extensive client relationships. She has made a significant contribution to the business since she joined following the Newton acquisition in 2013, and brings more than 10 years’ experience in the field. She is a great addition to the investment leadership team we have in place here at Standard Life Wealth.”

Standard Life Wealth, with offices in Edinburgh, London, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds, and an offshore presence in the Channel Islands, provides both target return and conventional investment strategies for private clients, trust companies and charities.