Gloucester-based investment specialist Blackfinch Group has expanded its senior leadership team by recruiting a new chief operating officer (COO).

Caroline Hallatt is said to bring extensive experience to Blackfinch, with more than 30 years in the financial services industry.

She has spent the last four years working as executive director at St James's Place, where she focused on regulatory oversight, as well as overseeing people, client excellence and operational development.

In her new position, Blackfinch said Ms Hallatt will play a key role in ensuring the business plans its operational growth and executes strategically to remain client-focused and operationally efficient.

Richard Cook, CEO and founder at Blackfinch said: "I look forward to welcoming Caroline into the senior leadership team at Blackfinch. Her skills and experience will be critical in driving the next stage of our growth."

"This is an exciting time for the group and we will have raised over £200m in assets under management throughout 2021. Our rebrand in 2020 strongly reflects our commitment to environment, social and governance principles and highlights our core values."

Caroline Hallatt added: "I'm thrilled to be joining Blackfinch at such an exciting time in its business growth. It's exciting to join an organisation with a strong heritage and where CEO Richard Cook is growing the business at pace. With some great products and services, and with such an amazing group of people, I am looking forward to further supporting our future success."

Before St James's Place, Ms Hallatt held several senior positions at Zurich and Nationwide. She has also worked for various charities over the last 25 years, the most recent being the Prospect Hospice, where she has been a board member for eight years.