abrdn strengthens Adviser Executive Team with two key appointments
15 July 2021- Russell Bignall appointed Sales Director
- Fiona Dudman appointed Solution Maintenance & Control Director
- Appointments strengthen and complete Adviser Executive Team
abrdn is pleased to announce the appointment of Russell Bignall as Sales Director and Fiona Dudman as Solution Maintenance & Control Director of the Adviser vector. Both will report directly to Noel Butwell, CEO of Adviser, joining as members of Noel’s Adviser Executive Team.
Russell will join from wealth management firm Quilter plc, where he has been Head of UK Sales since 2015. With nearly 30 years’ experience in a variety of roles in the industry he is well placed to develop and execute the sales strategy to support the overall business plan, while leading colleagues across the function. He will be based in London and will join the business later in the year.
Fiona joined the business in June from Barclays UK, where she held the role of Head of Conduct and Operational Controls, Business Banking. In this newly created role Fiona will be responsible for first line control environment, working with the business to ensure risks are well understood and managed.
Noel Butwell, CEO Adviser said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Russell and Fiona to abrdn. Both have a huge amount of experience and expertise in the industry that will support us in our aim to deliver the best outcomes for advisers and their clients across Wrap and Elevate. As a former colleague, I know Russell well and look forward to working with him again. His wide and varied knowledge of the adviser industry is exceptional and his experience of engaging with advisers and their businesses is second to none.
“Fiona will lead a team to really develop our control environment bringing a new level of scrutiny to support ourselves and advisers in the ever-changing regulatory environment.
“I’m pleased that Russell and Fiona have decided to join us at such a pivotal time for our business.”
Russell commented:
“It’s a really exciting time to be returning to the company, I’m looking forward to getting started to support the growth ambitions of the Adviser vector. I’m passionate about advice and the value advisers bring to their clients and will do everything I can to make abrdn first choice.”
Fiona commented:
“I’m really pleased to have started. Working with the existing team we will strengthen and enhance the controls we already have in place to ensure the greatest guidance for advisers and their clients.”
These appointments complete Noel’s Executive Team consisting of:
Ross Allan – Development Director
Jonny Black – Commercial & Strategy Director
Steve Owen – Solutions Delivery Director
Kirsty Watson – Chief Operating Officer
Stuart Wemyss - Client Services Director
Media enquiries
For further information, contact:
Patricia Corrigan
0774 092 4558
Notes to editors
Russell Bignall – Concise CV
2015 – present – Quilter Head of UK Sales - Platform, Investment & Offshore
2012 – 2015 - BNY Mellon Director, Strategic Sales, BNY Mellon
2002 – 2012 - Standard Life Aberdeen – various roles:
National Sales Manager
National Account Manager
IFA Account Manager
1999 – 2002 - HSBC Private Client Manager
1995 – 1999 – Halifax Personal Financial Adviser
1995 – 1995 – Royal Liver Life Assurance Consultant
1993 - 1995 – LV= Financial Adviser
Fiona Dudman – Concise CV:
2008 – June 2021 – Barclays
2018 – June 2021 Director, Head of Conduct and Operational Controls, Business Banking
2017 to 2018 Director, Head of Controls Testing, Assurance and Thematics, Chief Controls Office, Barclays UK
2016 – 2017 Vice President, Head of Risk and Control, Personal Banking
2015 – 2016 Vice President – Premier Control Officer
2014 – 2015 Vice President – Premier and Offshore Control Office, Personal Banking
2012 – 2014 Vice President – Business Risk Management, Wealth Management
2010 – 2012 Vice President – Operational Risk Partner, Glasgow Platform and International,
Intermediaries & Stockbrokers, Wealth Management
2009 – 2010 Vice President – Operational Risk Partner, Stockbrokers, Global Dealing, International/Intermediaries, Wealth Management
2008 – 2009 Vice President – Operational Risk Partner, Stockbrokers, Wealth Management
1988 – 2008 Clydesdale Bank
Other 2006 – 2008 Trustee Director of Defined Benefit Pension Fund
About abrdn
At abrdn, we empower our clients to plan, save and invest for their futures.
We structure our business into three areas – and together they reflect our focus on enabling our clients to be better investors:
Investments: We work with clients to create solutions across markets, asset classes and investment strategies – combining our global network of investment professionals with research, data and technology.
Adviser: We offer market-leading platform technology and tools that enable UK wealth managers and financial advisers to look after the diverse needs of their clients.
Personal: We help people throughout the UK plan for their financial futures – through our financial planning business, our digital direct-to-consumer services and discretionary fund management services.
Through the expertise, insight and innovation of our team, we aim to help clients create more ways for money to make an impact. We set our sights on giving them more confidence to achieve their goals, and more clarity about what they need next. And we focus on delivering outcomes that are more than just financial – by investing sustainably to build a better world.
We’re a global business, with clients in 80 countries. We manage and administer £535 billion of assets on their behalf, and we have over 1 million shareholders. (Figures as at 31/12/2020)
In July 2021 we changed our plc name from Standard Life Aberdeen to abrdn. All of the client-facing brands we use globally will be switching to our new abrdn brand identity. Over the coming months this will include Aberdeen Standard Investments, Aberdeen Standard Capital, the Standard Life Wrap and Elevate platforms, and 1825 financial planning.
abrdn.com
The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and investors may get back less than the amount invested.