David Ingram has taken the role at SIFA, which provides compliance and business support to financial advisers and aims to bring about stronger working relationships between advisers and solicitors.

Mr Ingram, who has worked in financial services for over twenty years, most recently held the position of managing partner at Aim Two Three llp, a consultancy based support provider created to work with both product providers and advisory firms.

Mr Ingram said: "I've been an admirer of SIFA for a long time and I am really excited to be part of the team which will lead it through the next stage of its development.

“I've spent many years working to increase professionalism in the advice sector and the opportunity to work within a company that has been at the forefront of supporting truly professional practices is too good to miss.

“Over the last few years I've been working with quite a few SIFA member firms, they've been amongst the most professional firms and I'm looking forward to working with many more like them in this new role."

He takes up the role from Monday.

Ian Muirhead, chairman of SIFA, said: "I have known David for several years and have great respect both for him as a person and for his technical expertise and business acumen.

“I am confident that he is the right person to take SIFA forward and I relish the opportunity to work with him to ensure that SIFA members receive the support they need in the fast-changing world of inter-professional services".

SIFA has made several key appointments in the past month, with Viv Williams joining as legal services director and Gemma Garen heading up the legal consultancy service.