Tilney Bestinvest appoints Stuart Layzell as CFO

Tilney Bestinvest, the UK investment and financial planning group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Stuart Layzell as Chief Financial Officer.* Stuart brings to Tilney Bestinvest a wide range of experience in senior management, M&A and private equity roles in both the UK and US.

Stuart began his career with PwC where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and worked in their M&A advisory team before moving to the US, where he lived for nine years and held senior management roles at two technology companies. On his return to the UK he spent seven years with LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group focused on mid-market deals. In 2011 he helped launch the Business Growth Fund plc, a £2.5 billion fund, backed by five leading UK banks before returning to industry, where he has held CFO positions at two high growth, private-equity backed technology companies, Fourth and, latterly, Isotrak.

Peter Hall, Chief Executive Officer, of Tilney Bestinvest, said: “We are delighted to welcome Stuart to the senior management team. He brings considerable experience both of high growth companies and of Mergers & Acquisitions - expertise which will prove invaluable to Tilney Bestinvest as we progress with our growth strategy. The business is seeing strong organic growth underpinned by award winning services and we continue to explore opportunities for potential acquisitions where we think the fit with the existing business is strong and will benefit our clients.”

Stuart Layzell commented: “With the support of a significant backer in the Permira funds, a diverse range of very competitive services and the joint venture with Saga launching later this year, the business is incredibly well positioned for the future. This is an exciting time to be joining Tilney Bestinvest and I very much look forward to working with Peter and the team.”

*Stuart's appointment as CFO is subject to FCA approval.

Media photos of Peter Hall and Stuart Layzell are available on request by emailing matthew.gray@tilneybestinvest.co.uk

- ENDS –

Press contacts:

Jason Hollands
Managing Director, Business Development & Communications
020 7189 9919
07768 661382
jason.hollands@tilneybestinvest.co.uk

Matthew Gray
Associate, Communications
020 7189 2492
matthew.gray@tilneybestinvest.co.uk

Note to editors

Tilney Bestinvest is a leading UK investment and financial planning group, owned by staff and funds managed by leading European private equity firm Permira. The group was created by the merger of Tilney Investment Management with Bestinvest in 2014. The combined group manages, advises or administers over £9 billion of client assets, supporting clients across the UK with over 400 staff.

On a full-year pro forma basis the Tilney Bestinvest group generated revenues of £67.6 million and profits on an EBITDA basis of £17.7 million during the 12-months to 31 December 2014.

In January 2015 Tilney Bestinvest and Saga plc, the UK-listed provider of services to the over fifties population announced a 50:50 owned joint venture wealth management firm: Saga Investment Services. The JV will launch in Autumn 2015.

The Tilney Bestinvest Group of Companies comprises the firms Bestinvest (Brokers) Ltd (Reg. No. 2830297), Tilney Investment Management (Reg. No. 02010520), Bestinvest (Consultants) Ltd (Reg. No. 1550116) and HW Financial Services Ltd (Reg. No. 02030706) all of which are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 6 Chesterfield Gardens, Mayfair, W1J 5BQ.

For further information, please visit: www.tilneybestinvest.co.uk