The UK firm has brought in a former director of family office services at Savills.

Smith & Williamson, the UK-based investment management, accountancy and tax group, has brought in Rupert Phelps, formerly a director family office services at Savills, as a partner to build out the FO services area. 

Phelps has worked in the wealth management space for almost 20 years. At Savills, he was director of its family office services and previously, carried out a similar role at BNY Mellon.

“I aim to grow the established presence Smith & Williamson has in this sector, particularly through the development of new business plans and strategies as well as through the identification of new clients,” Phelps said in a statement today.

Smith & Williamson has £17.5 billion of funds under management and advice, and says it is the eighth-largest accountancy firm in the UK (source: Accountancy Age, 2016). In total, the group has 13 offices and employs more than 1,600 people, providing investment, financial advice and accounting services.