Quilter Financial Planning chief executive Andy Thompson is leaving at the end of June to be replaced by former Sesame Bankhall director Stephen Gazard.

Gazard is currently group managing director of Quilter’s advice business. His appointment remains subject to regulatory approval.

Thompson joined Quilter as part of its acquisition of Intrinsic, having previously sold his Blueprint businesses to the advice network.

He then became chief executive, joined the Quilter executive committee in 2016 and has grown the business both organically and through acquisition.

The next phase of Quilter Financial Planning’s strategy will be to fully integrate it into the wider group, according to Quilter, which also runs platform, discretionary management and fund provision services.

Gazard joined Quilter Financial Planning in 2017 as group managing director and has over 23 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Quilter chief executive Paul Feeney says: “Delivering trusted financial advice is central to everything we do and I want to thank Andy for the role he has played in building our advice business. As we move into the next phase of our journey I’m delighted that we have such an able successor in Stephen Gazard to take over the reins.”

Thompson adds: “I am incredibly proud of what we have created together as we have focused on serving customers and supporting advisers as a core part of the Quilter Group.

“Stephen Gazard is a proven leader in advice and will guide the business forward to its next more integrated phase. I would like to thank our advisers, colleagues and board for all of their support throughout this incredible journey.”