Sesame Bankhall Group announces senior appointments

• Stephen Young to drive forward range of new business initiatives for Sesame Bankhall Group
• Senior team strengthened with George Higginson and Keith Gilmour appointments 

Sesame Bankhall Group’s current Chief Operating Officer Stephen Young will head up a new unit focused upon delivering a range of new business initiatives, including a new investment platform that will be unveiled later this year. Stephen continues to report to Executive Chairman Ivan Martin and also as a member of the Group Board. 
George Higginson has been appointed Chief Operating Officer and will join Sesame Bankhall Group in early 2011 from his previous role at Intrinsic, where he was one of the founding directors, as well as the Chairman of the Mint IFA Network. George will lead the operating businesses of Sesame, Bankhall and PMS with a specific focus on developing the Group’s response to RDR. George will join the Sesame Bankhall Group Board and will report to Ivan Martin.
Keith Gilmour has been appointed as Business Development Director to help drive forward and promote Sesame and Bankhall’s growing range of services for members. Keith will be taking up his position in October and joins Sesame Bankhall Group from Positive Solutions, where he was Marketing Director. Keith will join the Sesame Bankhall Executive Committee and will report to George Higginson.
Ivan Martin, Sesame Bankhall Group’s Executive Chairman commented: “The formation of Sesame Bankhall Group has been followed by a successful period of integration with all three of our market leading brands – Sesame, Bankhall and PMS – now trading profitably. We must continue to build on that success, whilst looking towards a future landscape that is undergoing huge regulatory and social change.
“Stephen has led the successful integration of the new Group, and we are now poised to make a series of major investments that will enable our members, and their clients, to look to the future with increasing confidence. It is imperative that those investments are delivered successfully and add real value to our members’ businesses, and Stephen will lead this vital work. 
“Our ambitions are to further leverage upon our position as the leading adviser support business and George will be responsible for building on our award-winning range of services for members and ensuring that all three of our business units are the leaders in their sectors. George brings with him an exemplary track record in working with advisory businesses and has a passionate belief in the value of financial advice for consumers.
“Keith will be responsible for developing our strong brands, along with the delivery and adoption of a range of new services that will help our members to continue building successful businesses for years to come.
“We look forward to welcoming George and Keith to Sesame Bankhall Group. Although we have a senior leadership team of real depth, these appointments are a clear vote of confidence in the future of our profession and further evidence of our commitment and determination to provide the very best support to our members.”