Cornelian hires Standard Life’s Hepburn for adviser push

Cornelian Asset Managers has underlined its determination to build strong links with advisers through the hire of Standard Life’s Gillian Hepburn (pictured).

Hepburn was business development manager at Standard Life, specialising in wrap products for IFAs in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In her new capacity Hepburn will serve as associate director and intermediary business.

Her appointment comes after the Edinburgh-based wealth manager spilt its company into two specialist divisions: one offering investment management to private clients and charities and the other on the IFA sector.

The firm’s chief operating officer John Jackson said: ‘Gillian Hepburn has over 20 years’ experience of the IFA sector and understands what is required to grow that market.

'She will be part of a bespoke division tailored to offer IFAs the kind of products they need to grow their business and ours. We are delighted to have secured someone with such an outstanding track record in working with IFAs.’ 

Cornelian was established almost 10 years ago and has seen assets under management swell to around £390 million. It has undergone a significant makeover to help improve its relationship with advisers.

Back in October it upgraded its core technology, implementing Investmaster’s InVantage Solution. This was followed by the recruitment of Scottish Value Management chief investment officer Hector Kilpatrick, who managed the firm’s UK Alpha fund. 

Last month Cornelian launched three funds with varying risk profiles and objectives for IFAs looking to outsource their investment management in the run-up to the retail distribution review.

‘We feel we have the company structured in a way that will deliver to private clients and IFAs and expect to continue our growth with this business model,’ Jackson said.