Schroders has named Phil Middleton as its head of UK, with effect from 1 January 2025.

Middleton joined Schroders in 1992 and, during his 32-year tenure, has held roles across the business in distributing and marketing. In 2020, he took up the role of head of internal distribution, North America, and became CEO of North America in January 2022. Middleton was subsequently appointed as CEO Americas in June 2023. Following Middleton’s appointment as head of UK, Tom Darnowski has been promoted to CEO Americas. Schroders' current head of UK, James Rainbow, will be leaving the firm to pursue opportunities after 17 years at the company.

Franklin Templeton has appointed George Stephan to the newly created position of global chief operating officer of wealth management alternatives.

The firm stated that the new position strengthened its ambition to become a “top provider” of alternative wealth solutions globally. Stephan will oversee alternative investments product innovation, and investor services, and assist with business development, management, and operations. He will partner with the firm's distribution leaders around the world to help drive the overall distribution strategy in addition to adviser education for the alternative investments business in the private wealth channel. Stephan previously spent five years at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), as head of strategy and business development for the firm’s Global Client Solutions business. Before that, he was chief operating officer and head of investor relations for KKR’s Global Wealth Solutions business in the Americas. Prior to joining KKR, Stephan spent nine years at Morgan Stanley’s wealth management division.

The Wealthtime Group, which comprises the Wealthtime and Wealthtime Classic platforms and DFM Copia Capital, has appointed Nick French as commercial director.

French has more than 25 years’ experience in wealth management, having held positions across investments, platforms, and financial advice. He has joined Wealthtime from Blackfinch Group, where he was chief distribution officer. Prior to this, French was CEO of the Select Platform and head of adviser solutions at Malborough Group. He also spent 13 years at Russell Investments across various roles, culminating in managing director. During his time at Russell Investments, alongside “driving the transformation” of the UK retail business, he became known for creating and launching a practice management training programme, designed to help financial advisers grow their business.

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