The new team will help support and shape the running of SJP’s investment management approach and that of its discretionary fund management arm Rowan Dartington.

SJP said the new team would increase the transparency of its investment approach to its partnership, clients and external stakeholders.

The wealth manager has made several appointments to the new team including Corinne Lord who joined the new CIO Office team as a senior investment specialist today.

She joins from Cazenove Capital having previously held roles at Legal & General Investment Management and Amundi Asset Management.

She will join earlier external hires Joe Wiggins (director of investment research) and Hetal Mehta (head of economic research) on the new team which is headed by Dr Sarah Ruggins, head of investment specialists.

Justin Onuekwusi, CIO at St James’s Place, said: “The appointment of Corinne will help to amplify SJP’s investment voice to the partnership and within the wider marketplace, alongside the creation of the CIO Office. She comes to the team with a wealth of experience and will help to provide CIO level expertise on markets.

“As the largest wealth manager in the UK communicating our asset allocation decisions and long-term views on the market is crucial in helping a wider audience understand SJP’s approach to investment management.”

Mr Onuekwusi joined SJP in October to steer the development of SJP’s investment proposition, asset allocation approach and selection of external fund managers. Mr Onuekwusi has over 20 years of experience in the investment management industry including roles at Aviva Investors, Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, and Aon Consulting. He was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2020 due to his work campaigning for diversity in the asset management industry.