Arjent management walks out and plans new venture

Arjent’s management team, including chief executive David Couch and chief operating officer Chris Deacon, have walked out of the firm due to irreconcilable differences with the board, Wealth Manager understands.

Kevin Spear, business development head, has also left alongside Couch (pictured) and Deacon. Couch’s responsibilities have been taken on by Arjent’s head of investment management James Hutson, who has been appointed managing director following the departures.

Adam Sketchley has been promoted to head of investments and finance director Simon Sotomey takes over as COO of the group.

It is understood the outgoing trio is in talks with a number of parties about relaunching an investment management venture, potentially through its holding company, Code Investments.

While the exact nature of the dispute is not known, managing director Hutson stressed the firm remains in expansion mode, having recently launched a model portfolio range on Parmenion and a Stratford-upon-Avon office.

‘As of this moment, the plan is to continue building assets under management, and we are making good headway with the Arjent managed portfolio solution,’ he said.