Bell Financial Group has appointed two private wealth advisers as state managers to facilitate the transformation of its retail advice business.
In its first-half results, the group detailed plans to transition the retail arm of the business into a more diversified wealth management business over the next two years.
The group has now appointed James Trude and Scott Healy as Bell Potter Securities NSW manager and Queensland manager, respectively.
A primary focus for the pair will be implementing the transformation strategy for Bell Potter’s retail business, while also taking on responsibility for strengthening client relationships and overseeing growth in their respective markets.
Prior to joining the group earlier this month, Trude was private wealth executive at Westpac, though he has held a variety of roles across the finance sector over his more than two decades working in this space.
Some of his recent roles include commercial director, wealth at NewsCorp Australia, chief client officer and head of distribution at Clime Investment Management, and regional director for Dimensional Fund Advisors.
Healy joined Bell Potter in November to take on his new role, before which he was executive director of Gamma Wealth Group, director of private office at ANZ Private Bank, and a private wealth manager for Commonwealth Private.
Across his more than 20 years of experience in the sector, Healy also spent five years at Morgan Stanley, and more than seven at Commonwealth Bank.
Bell Potter Securities managing director, retail Dean Surkitt said the pair’s collective experience make them valuable additions to its NSW and Queensland retail advice teams.
“Their depth of expertise in managing high-net-worth and family-office clients will be of considerable value to our adviser network and our clients. Their appointment further supports the expansion of our capabilities across a wider range of investment and advice services,” Surkitt said.
Marking another pivotal step for the group, Bell Potter announced the appointment of Will Riggall as its inaugural chief investment officer in November to lead its investment strategy and continue developing key solutions for the group’s clients.
Bell Potter also entered a partnership with Praemium in July to facilitate the group’s retail transformation and broaden its advice capabilities to a wider range of asset classes. It now uses Praemium’s Scope+ administration solutions to administer over 2,200 client portfolios, bringing in $6 billion in funds under administration (FUA).
