THEODORE Goddard has called in a banker to head a new financial advice service which it says represents a move to a “multidisciplinary culture”.
Nigel West, former marketing director of Hill Samuel Asset Finance, will lead the firm's structured finance group, which will advise clients on asset finance and leasing services and Private Finance Initiative (PFI) projects.
It is the first time the firm has offered its clients a non-legal service.
Managing partner Simon Stubbings said the firm would be able to offer a broader service to its clients, who could cut the number of advisers they needed on structured finance and PFI deals.
“Nigel is also able to give advice on the financial implications of the client doing the deal,” he said.
“There has been considerable discussion about the fact that the distinctions between professional advisers have become increasingly blurred.
“We believe that this is part of a wider trend towards a multi-disciplinary culture which we expect to become increasingly apparent to the professions,” added Stubbings.
West, who will enjoy a “partner level” status in the firm, said: “Mine is not just an advisory role, it is part of my job to make deals happen.”
He said he decided to leave Hill Samuel when its parent, TSB, merged with Lloyds earlier this year.
He has a long association with the firm because his bank was one of its clients.
