The duo, who collectively have almost 25 years’ experience in the financial sector, join the team as financial planners as part of Johnston Carmichael Wealth’s continued growth.

The wealth team now employ six members of staff in Dundee, with employee numbers in the wider Johnston Carmichael regional hub in the city up from three when it opened in 2019 to 40.

Johnston Carmichael Wealth employs over 60 staff, forming financial planning, business and client support teams across Scotland and the UK as part of the wider Johnston Carmichael accountancy and business advisory firm.

Craig Hendry, managing director of Johnston Carmichael Wealth, said: “We’re continuing to invest in our offering at Johnston Carmichael Wealth, so it’s great to be expanding into Dundee for the first time.

“Lauren and Duncan will strengthen our wider team. Both have impressive backgrounds, know their local markets and are really well connected, which will help us pursue growth across Dundee and the wider area in Perth and Fife.

“We’re well positioned within the marketplace, and as a truly independent firm working with a variety of clients at all different levels, we are able to offer impartial, trusted and award-winning advice.”

Ms Whitters joined the firm in recent weeks and will work closely with financial planner Mr Fernie, who has more than 14 years’ experience in financial services.

Her specialisms include savings and investments, inheritance tax mitigation and estate planning, pre- and post-retirement planning, and reviewing existing financial planning arrangements.

Ms Whitters said she is pleased to have made the move to Johnston Carmichael Wealth, which has been ranked the UK’s top financial advisers two years running by FT Adviser.

She explained: “Johnston Carmichael and Johnston Carmichael Wealth both have excellent reputations, and fantastic teams, which attracted me to this role.

“It’s been great to see how numbers have grown in the Dundee office in recent years, and I’m really looking forward to working with businesses across the area.

“I have extensive experience of working on complex cases, as well as working with family businesses and private clients, which I believe will help improve our offering even further.

“I aim to provide advice and financial planning solutions to individuals across all areas of financial planning to build a financial plan that will enable them to live the life they want to lead with confidence.”

Other recent additions to the team in the past year include the appointment of chartered financial planner Martin Hendry to its Glasgow office, boosting its presence in the Central Belt.