HL hires M&G Wealth's Richard Caldicott to lead advice arm

Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) has appointed Richard Caldicott as financial advice director.

He will join HL from M&G Wealth in October, to head up the HL financial advice proposition.

Caldicott has extensive experience and a track record of innovation and transformation within financial advice.

He has created and driven strategies which focus on the use of technology to provide exceptional client journeys.

Commenting on the appointment, HL client director Ian Hunter said: "Richard's background in developing digital-led strategies which focus on client experience within the financial advice sector is something we can be really excited about.

"His experience and approach align with the exciting strategy we have for our financial advice offering and his experience will help to drive and improve this offering to clients. I look forward to working with him to develop our advisory services."

Caldicott added: "It's exciting to be joining the market leader in direct investing at such a pivotal time in their evolution. Making advice accessible and inclusive for all demands new solutions and services, and HL are totally committed to delivering these.

"As the savings and investment experience continues to be digitised there are huge opportunities to leverage digital development, alongside our advisers, to improve the advice experience."

In May, HL hired Alan Millward as head of workplace acquisition and engagement.

Last month, the business appointed two new hires to its investment analysis and research team.

Derren Nathan becomes head of equity research, while Hal Cook takes the role of senior investment analyst.

Meanwhile, M&G Wealth Advice has laid the groundwork for an ambitious recruitment drive, which will more than double its adviser numbers over the next five years.

Partnership director Tom Hegarty told Money Marketing the business wants to boost adviser numbers from the current level of 400, to 1,000.