Sesame Bankhall Group has set up a new team to help boost adviser recruitment and grow the Sesame network.
Chris Astle has taken on the role of national recruitment manager, overseeing recruitment and reporting to Toni Smith, director of Sesame.
Astle has over 20 years’ experience in financial services and returns to Sesame after working at PRIMIS Mortgage Network as head of recruitment.
Gina Hurn has also joined as recruitment support consultant to help Astle recruit advisers and grow the network.
Hurn joins from PRIMIS, where she spent four years as broker relationships manager.
Both are tasked with increasing recruitment for Sesame’s network and helping member firms find and attract new talent.
Astle said: “I’m thrilled to be back at Sesame. I’ve kept a close eye on the business since I left, and over the past year it’s been great to see some fantastic people join the team and step into key roles.
“I’ve stayed in touch with many of the brokers I worked with during my previous time here, and what really stands out is how many of them are still part of the Sesame network.
“That says a lot about the strength of the proposition and the support advisers receive.”
Astle added: “Ultimately, I came back because I can see the ambition and drive within the business.
“My job now is to make sure more advisers discover what makes this network such a great place to be part of.”
Smith said: “We’re delighted to welcome Chris back to Sesame at such an exciting time for the network.
“His deep understanding of the adviser market, combined with his track record of supporting firms at every stage of their journey, makes him ideally placed to lead our new recruitment unit.
“This is the first time we’ve established a dedicated function focused solely on growth, and it reflects the scale of our ambition.”
Smith added: “We want Sesame to be the network of choice for advisers looking to start, run, grow, and ultimately exit their businesses – and Chris will play a key role in making that vision a reality.”
