Standard Life Wealth appoints new charities specialist

Edinburgh-based discretionary fund manager Standard Life Wealth, has announced the appointment of Julie Hutchison to the newly created role of charities specialist.

Ms Hutchison, who will report to Patrick Trueman, head of charities, joins from Standard Life where she was consumer finance expert.

The new role of charities specialist “creates a dedicated resource for the charities team at Standard Life Wealth”, the firm said, and “recognises the distinct needs of charities, addressing both investment solutions and charity governance”.

Patrick Trueman, said: “We are delighted that Julie has joined Standard Life Wealth as charities specialist.

As a Director of a charity she has first-hand experience of the governance issues facing charities and has published commentary in this area. She also sits on the Ethical Advisory Group at Standard Life Investments, which is part of the governance of its ethical funds.

“We have ambitious plans to grow our charity business and Julie will be working closely with both charity trustees and professional advisers to provide expert guidance. As a lawyer, Julie is well placed to liaise with law firms, accountants and other intermediaries as Standard Life Wealth seeks to grow its presence in this specialist market.”

Ms Hutchison graduated with a First in Law from the University of Edinburgh and after qualifying as a lawyer, she specialised in tax and private client work, including philanthropy and the creation and management of charities.

Since joining Standard Life in 2004, Julie has worked in a range of specialist roles across law, investments and financial planning before becoming Charities Specialist at Standard Life Wealth.

She sits on the Market Committee of UKSIF (the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association) and is a member of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and its Special Interest Group for Charities.

Standard Life Wealth, with offices in London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds, provides both target return and conventional portfolios for charities and high net worth private clients.