Bartholomew Hawkins, a Welsh Financial Planning firm, is expanding and has opened a Cardiff HQ where it is set to create 18 new jobs with support from the Welsh Government.
The expansion, supported by £180,000 in business finance from the Welsh Government, will see staff numbers rise to 28 in total. The business, which has offices in Chepstow and Bridgend, with satellite operations in Bristol and London, opened its new HQ at Cardiff Gate.
Operating in a niche market Bartholomew Hawkins provide independent pension, retirement and investment planning advice to both private and corporate clients across South Wales and South England.
Welsh economy minister Edwina Hart said: "Bartholomew Hawkins is an indigenous business working in the financial and professional services sector – a priority sector for the Welsh Government with the potential for high growth.
"Wales is an increasingly competitive location for this sector where we have seen continued investment and reinvestment and I am delighted that support from the Welsh Government is helping Bartholomew Hawkins expand in Wales and create jobs here."
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Richard Lord, managing director of Bartholomew Hawkins said: "Although we operate within and outside Wales we were keen to expand in Wales and Welsh Government support has made this possible as other locations were under consideration.
"We are keen to extend our client base and target a range of other sectors such as local authorities and the education sector where we can help individuals maximise their retirement income and make savings.
"We aim to create 18 new highly qualified well paid jobs over the next three years and believe we are well placed to win more business. Our firm is in the unusual position of having three members of staff holding the advanced pension transfer qualification which the FCA insist that all pension transfer specialists hold – although fewer than 4% of the financial services sector holds this qualification."