M&G Wealth Advice has recruited appointed Matthew Ings FPFS from wealth manager St James’s Place (SJP) to lead its adviser academy.

The academy has so far taken on more than 130 trainees and M&G plans to expand it further.

At SJP Mr Ings was involved in the expansion and development of academy for seven years before taking on a role supporting advisers to develop their business strategies.

Before SJP Mr Ings held senior training and sales roles at companies including Bank of Scotland Investment Service and Barclays Financial Management.

Matthew is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and a Chartered Financial Planner.

In his new role at M&G Wealth Advice, he eill be responsible for the development of the M&G Wealth Advice Academy.

Tom Hegarty, managing director at M&G Wealth Advice, said: “I’m delighted that Matthew is joining us. His passion for training and development and considerable expertise in financial advice will be a great asset.

“We set up our Advice Academy just under two years ago and already have over 130 trainees on their journey to become financial advisers. I’m immensely proud of what we have created and Matthew will be instrumental in building on these foundations as we take our academy to the next level.”

Mr Ings, said: “I’m excited to be joining the M&G Wealth Advice Academy at a time of growth and to work with the team to provide first-class support to a greater number of trainees as we play our part in bringing through the next generation of advisers to meet the growing need for financial advice.”

The M&G Wealth Academy provides a two-year training programme to help trainees to become financial advisers while staying in any existing profession.

The training programme caters for those who do not have any qualifications as well as those who are partially or fully qualified. Trainees can gain mandatory qualifications, set up their own advice business as an Appointed Representative of M&G Wealth Advice or join an existing business.

M&G Wealth is part of M&G plc and has four main parts: M&G Wealth Advice, M&G Wealth Platform, M&G Wealth Investments and M&G Wealth Distribution.