Max Wright, former CEO, will continue in the business as non-executive director and will become chairman in 2015.
A fully qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Cross has more than 12 years’ experience working in the finance teams of organisations such as Clarke Roxburgh and Jelf.
Her appointment was made after a rigorous selection process which was part of a detailed and lengthy consultation to secure the best possible successor for the network and its members.
Max Wright, chief executive officer of Personal Touch for the past 5 years, will immediately take up a new role of non-executive director as an interim transition to his future role as chairman - which will take effect in 2015.
Wright intends to keep an active role with the network and provide continued support to his new chief executive, members and staff for the future whilst continuing to promote the network at an industry level..
Now that FCA approval for her appointment has been received Cross will begin her new role as chief executive from 28 November, with a formal welcome presentation arranged for the network’s forthcoming Personal Touch Live on 22 January 2015.
Max Wright, non-executive director and future chairman of Personal Touch, said: “After very careful consideration with our board members and LDC, our major shareholder, it was great to see that Jane received a unanimous showing of support as the best possible candidate to take the business forward for the long term.
“Her unrivalled understanding of the complex challenges the market currently presents and her insight into the needs of adviser firms really impressed us.
“Together with her relative financial and commercial background we are truly confident that she will be a formidable and popular new chief executive officer.
“Being able to promote from within is a great testimonial to the strength of our internal team and our focus on investing in people - which remains core to our strategy not just for staff but also very much for our member firms and their own teams.
“Whilst I had to make the difficult decision to step away from day to day management, I am looking forward to focusing on more strategic guidance and of course to supporting Jane and her team with practical advice and guidance to ensure the network continues to have a profitable long term future.”
Cross, chief executive officer, added: “With so much progress having been made by the network, under Max’s leadership, over the past few years, taking up this new role will inevitably be a very hard act to follow but I am thoroughly driven by the long term challenge of keeping up the great work and building on it going forward.
“The support of the rest of my board and staff continues to provide a great team of people behind me.
“I am really looking forward to spending more time now on getting to know our members better and helping to ensure the network fully understands and supports their needs whilst remaining focused on excellent customer care and quality advice”.
