Appointment at Smith & Williamson.

Smith & Williamson has announced a number of senior management changes. Gareth Pearce, who has served as group managing director since 1995, becomes executive chairman, following the retirement of Nick Sealy. Pearce joined the firm in 1986 and formerly headed its corporate finance practice. Sealy, who retires after nearly 35 years with the firm, will remain on the Board as a non-executive director.

Robin Boycott, who heads the group’s investment management business, becomes deputy chairman and Andrew Fullerton-Batten is appointed to the newly created post of chief operating officer.

Peter Stone, formerly of Close Brothers, as a second non-executive director also joins the Smith & Williamson board. Stone was one of the three-man management team that built up Close Brothers through the ’80s and ’90s and now holds a number of non-executive directorships across the property, financing, insurance and technology sectors.