Brooks Macdonald lands big-hitter from HSBC for chief executive role

BROOKS Macdonald has scored a coup by recruiting HSBC’s UK wealth head Caroline Connellan as its next chief executive, making her the most senior leaders of a listed wealth management.

The former McKinsey consultant, who also spent time at Standard Life and was a fund manager at Newton, will join next April to take charge of the £8 billion wealth firm.

Current chief and co-founder Chris Macdonald, who set up the group 25 years ago, is stepping aside to become deputy chairman and is expected to become chairman “in the future”.

Brooks chairman Chris Knight said Connellan (pictured) brings “significant wealth management experience that will be critical to delivering the group’s strategy”.

The 43-year-old remains at HSBC, where her official title is head of UK Premier and Wealth, until she takes up the new role. Macdonald said he will focus more on strategy in his new position.