The firm has announced several new hires as it gears up to launch a regional branch in Southampton.

UK-listed wealth and investment manager firm, Walker Crips, has appointed Nick Lee and Charles Cavendish to run a new office opening this summer in Southampton as part of continuing "ambitious growth plans," the firm's managing director said.

Grant Thornton-veteran Lee is joining the financial planning division as regional director. He will divide his time between growing the wealth management division and advising high net worth private clients and trustees, with a particular focus on tax-efficient investment planning and estate planning.

Cavendish is joining the same division as associate director and will work with trustees and high net worth clients, with an emphasis on estate planning, pensions and investment advice. Both hires have previously spent time working at Argentis, acquired by Gallagher in 2016.

They will be joined in Hampshire by Kris Watts and Jasmine Ng as a paraplanner and a wealth administrator, respectively.