Kingswood appoints David Lawrence as new UK CEO

Kingswood is pleased to announce the appointment of David Lawrence as its UK Chief Executive Officer. This is an exciting appointment for the business and reinforces Kingswood's ambition to become a leading international wealth business. David will lead Kingswood's UK strategy and become a director of its UK subsidiaries following regulatory approval.

David has over 30 years’ experience in financial services with Lloyds Banking Group where he has held numerous senior leadership roles in distribution and functional areas across its Retail, Commercial and Insurance divisions.

In 2014, David became the Commercial Director and then Chief Operating Officer for Lloyds’ Private Banking and Wealth businesses with additional responsibility for its Mass Affluent proposition and strategy. Over the last two years, David has played a lead role in the establishment of Schroders Personal Wealth (a joint venture wealth management business between Lloyds Banking Group and Schroders). David became Chief Commercial Officer for this business in March 2019 with primary responsibility for its client proposition, client experience and business development.

Gary Wilder, Group CEO at Kingswood commented: “I am delighted that David has agreed to join Kingswood as our U.K. CEO to drive us through our next exciting phase of growth. As the business continues to expand, we want to ensure we have an experienced industry leader in place to accelerate our growth plans including our best in class DFM proposition and to drive synergies and efficiencies from our integration efforts. In David we believe we have that person”.

David Lawrence, UK Chief Executive Officer added: “Kingswood has a clear ambition to build a leading wealth management business in the UK (and internationally) and I am delighted to be joining the business at such an exciting time. The UK business has a healthy pipeline of acquisition opportunities and my early focus will be on converting these, integrating them and delivering accelerated organic growth through our regional hubs. “A complimentary focus on creating enhanced client experiences through an optimal blending of technology and adviser interaction and the development of progressive, relevant and great value client propositions, will further fuel growth as well as bringing operational efficiencies.”

Link to Kingswood website