Niche Private Clients, a firm specialising in wealth management and financial planning, has announced that James Squires has joined its board in the role of Non-Executive Director.
With a professional background spanning over 15 years in financial services, private equity and corporate finance, James will bring his considerable experience to bear on the firm’s strategic direction and plans for sustainable long-term growth.
Prior to joining Niche, James spent 12 years at Phoenix Equity Partners, a UK mid-market private equity fund with assets under management of around £1 billion, where he was a Partner responsible for directing the firm’s financial services investment activity. Before his time at Phoenix, he worked for four years in corporate finance at DC Advisory. James holds a degree in Biochemistry from Oxford University.
Alongside his position at Niche, James maintains a portfolio of non-executive and advisory roles elsewhere in the sector. He is a Non-Executive Director at Mobius Life, an institutional investment platform overseeing more than £30 billion on behalf of UK pension schemes, as well as at Great Yellow, which focuses on advising clients on the financing and performance of nature restoration initiatives.
James also lends his expertise to BIGTXN, a firm providing sanctioned securities screening solutions to financial institutions. Given that the majority of businesses he works with operate under FCA and/or PRA regulation, he has developed a thorough understanding of the strategic, commercial and governance dynamics that are central to running a financial services firm effectively.
Aled Phillips for Niche Private Clients added: “James is someone I’ve known and respected for a long time. He brings a depth of experience and perspective that is rare in our space, and a very clear understanding of what it takes to build something properly over time. As we continue to develop Niche, it was important to bring in someone who can challenge our thinking as much as support it. James does both.”
James’s arrival at Niche Private Clients reflects the firm’s broader intention to invest purposefully in the long-term structure of the business, rather than focusing solely on expanding its size. The addition of senior expertise from private equity and regulated financial services continues to set Niche apart from firms that operate in a more transactional manner, underscoring its commitment to building something that is both strategically considered and genuinely high in quality.
Commenting on his appointment, James added: “Niche has been purpose-built to provide great client outcomes; the combination of high-quality advice from chartered professionals, fantastic client support enabled by a slick tech-stack, and a conflict-free fee model sets Niche apart from the competition. I’m delighted to be working with the team and look forward to supporting the firm’s next phase of development.”
More information about Niche Private Clients is available at https://nichepc.co.uk
