Brooks Macdonald strengthens board with two executive appointments

Investment management company Brooks Macdonald announced the appointment of Andrew William Shepherd and Lynsey Jane Cross as executive directors on Thursday, with effect from 13 July.

The AIM-traded firm had previously announced Shepherd’s appointment as group chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approval.

It said he would bring a “depth of financial services experience” of 27 years, having joined the group in 2002.

Shepherd had held a number of roles across Brooks Macdonald, including group deputy CEO since 2015, and took the role of CEO of its international business in April 2019.

Cross, meanwhile, joined Brooks Macdonald in May 2020 as chief operating officer, and was responsible for advancing how the group served its advisors and clients, and led its investment in technology, systems and processes.

With more than 25 years of financial services experience, Brooks Macdonald said Cross had worked in senior roles across both asset management and insurance.

She was CEO of ANV Group until she led the company through its acquisition by AmTrust, when she was appointed COO of AmTrust International to oversee its “complex” integration programme.

Additionally, Cross is chair of diversity and inclusion at Insurance Institute London, and is a non-executive Director of the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

“I am delighted to welcome Andrew and Lynsey to the group board,” said chairman Alan Carruthers.

“Andrew has very much hit the ground running since his appointment as CEO designate, and Lynsey has similarly had a strong impact on the group since her arrival a year ago.

“I look forward to working with both of them more closely going forwards.”

Brooks Macdonald also said that group finance director Ben Thorpe was now taking on additional responsibilities relating to the company’s product and service innovation agenda.

At 0903 BST, shares in Brooks Macdonald Group were up 0.7% at 2,311p.