Ascentric, the UK-based independent wrap platform, has bolstered its business development team with the appointment of Scott Winters.

In his new role, in which he reports to Richard Goodall, sales director, Mr Winters will cover the Midlands and the North in supporting IFAs who are transitioning to Ascentric. His appointment reflects a growing demand for the platform in the Midlands and the North, Ascentric said in a statement.

Mr Scott already has a number of years’ experience of working with Midlands-based advisors, having held several IFA sales roles in the region with large life companies. More recently, he was a pensions and investment development manager with US insurance firm The Hartford, a role which entailed driving new market developments and facilitating business change for advisors.

“Scott is highly experienced and has a strong track record of working with IFAs in helping them transition to new business models. I am confident that Scott will prove to be a great asset for Ascentric as we continue to grow our wrap platform business,” said Mr Goodall.

In other recent developments, last week it emerged that Ascentric had seen the departure of Shaun Sandiford, formerly head of sales, a little less than a year after he joined the firm in November 2008. Ascentric told this publication it is currently reviewing the prospect of recruiting a replacement for him.