The London-based division will provide independent M&A and strategic financial advice to entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and family-owned businesses, the firm said. Its advisory work will extend to advising on business disposals and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances, working alongside Sandaire’s existing international networks.

Sandaire's chief executive, James Fleming, said: “We are seeing a real increase in clients’ appetite for integrated advice. By closely aligning wealth management with corporate finance through the launch of Sandaire Corporate Finance, we are responding” to that change.

Paul Staples will head the division as managing director. An investment banking and corporate finance veteran, he joins from Deloitte, where he led the TMT advisory franchise in the UK and EMEA as senior partner. Before that, he was head of UK corporate finance and a management committee member of BNP Paribas’ investment banking division.

In recent months, the MFO has named several new hires who have joined its leadership team, including Janet Tarbet as client relationships director, Andy Mattocks to a new post as head of corporate development, and Marc Cane as head of risk and compliance.