Diversified financial services group Pharos Financial Group (Pharos) has hired former AFS Group regional manager Adam Kingston to spearhead its advisory solutions business.
Pharos Financial Group managing director Mark Perry said Kingston's role is to assist the group's existing and future new planners.
"Adam's role heading the advisory solutions business is to assist existing and future new planners who are either part of the group or simply use services offered via the group," Perry said.
Perry said Kingston's appointment continues the company's direction to create "a pillar of independence".
"There are not many of us left now, especially in the full financial planning space," he said.
"The strength of Pharos comes from its integration and our structure allows planning practices to focus on clients, the part they enjoy and excel at."
Commenting on his decision to depart the AFS Group for Pharos, Kingston said: "I have always been a passionate believer in the need for a strong independent section of the industry.
"When the opportunity arose to join Mark, Tony [Hartley, Madison Financial Group head] and the team at Pharos, it was a very easy decision."
Kingston's appointment follows Pharos plans last month to expand its scale in the non-institutional dealership space by enhancing its a dealer-to-dealer service model, AdviceNet business.
As part of the strategy, Pharos has appointed Platinum Asset Management chair Michael Cole as chairman of its dealer service and proactive portfolios separately managed account investment committee.
Cole currently chairs Platinum and serves on a number of boards including New South Wales Treasury Corporation, Illawarra Mutual Building Society. He is also a director and major shareholder of OneVue.
