Quilter has appointed a new distribution head for its platform business as Scott Goodsir takes an industry hiatus.
The advice giant announced Goodsir would be exiting Old Mutual Wealth next February “to take some time out of the industry before looking for his next challenge”. He had been in the role since 2014.
Goodsir will be succeeded by Karen Blatchford (pictured), currently head of Quilter International’s product and marketing, from the start of 2021. She will report to Old Mutual Wealth CEO Steven Levin.
The changing of the guard comes weeks before the delayed second phase of Quilter’s re-platforming is due to take place on 26 November.
Quilter’s platform migration, which began with a “soft launch” in 2019, has proved an arduous and costly process, with the firm spending an estimated £200m on the project. In an update last month the firm said it expects 80% of client assets to have been transferred by the end of 2020 and the process to be completed early next year.
Goodsir said Quilter’s platform business was “primed and ready for its next chapter” which is why “it makes perfect sense for me to hand the reins over to someone else to lead this next charge”.
“I have been very lucky to work with some wonderful people in my time at Quilter and I am so proud of what we have achieved together,” he added.
Incoming boss Blatchford will oversee sales and distribution of the Old Mutual Wealth platform, including investment products and offshore bonds.
She has over 25 years’ experience in distribution and prior to Quilter spent over 17 years at Legal & General eventually working as a sales and marketing director for retail investments at its funds business LGIM.
“I believe it is a fantastic time to be a financial adviser and I’m looking forward to focusing on working with them to capitalise on the growth opportunities,” Blatchford said on her appointment.
“I’m also incredibly excited to be joining our UK platform business as we adopt our new technology which will offer new capabilities to advisers and their clients underpinned by first class service.”
