Mr Hicks joins from Aberdeen Asset Management where he had a senior sales role with responsibility for the IFA market in the UK, as well as expat advisers in Europe.

Beaufort Financial has 13 partner firms, 55 investment advisers and has attained Chartered Financial Planning firm status. The group has 12,000 clients in total.

Surrey-based Beaufort also owns discretionary fund manager Beaufort Investment Management which has £750m under management.

Mr Hicks has worked in the industry for some 25 years, including in sales at Gartmore Fund Managers and in marketing at Scottish Life.

Simon Goldthorpe, executive chairman of the Beaufort Group, said: “We welcome Tony to our management team. He comes highly recommended and has a proven track record.

“Our growth strategy is steady and measured and we continue to seek partnerships with IFA firms and appointed representatives across the country. Our DFM, which manages some 42 model portfolios on behalf of our partner and external firms’ clients now has over £750m under management”.

Mr Hicks added: “I am delighted to join the group at an exciting time in its development and look forward to attracting new joiners as well as helping to grow the funds under management.

“In my opinion the case for whole of market independent financial advice has never been more compelling”.