Tax planning specialist Octopus has hired Shaun Sandiford from AXA Elevate to head up its relationships with platforms.
Sandiford has joined as head of Platform Distribution, and will be responsible for liaising with platforms in order to provide greater access to Octopus' products.
Neil Buckland said: "We are delighted to welcome Shaun to the team at Octopus. He brings with him a wealth of experience and he is well placed to fulfill our commitment to help advisers access our products through platforms.
"It is clear that RDR has really focused advisers' attention on areas where they can add real value for their clients - such as tax planning - and so there is a greater requirement for us to support advisers through allowing their clients access to products and services that can help them meet their planning goals."
Sandiford (pictured) has already agreed his first deal, with the Octopus Inheritance Tax Service - which aims to provide inheritance tax relief for clients after two years by investing in companies that qualify for Business Property Relief - now available via wrap platform Novia.
It is the first time Octopus has offered a tax planning product on a platform.
Novia director of sales Paul Boston said: "One area that up until now has not been possible via platforms is Business Property Relief, and its use in inheritance tax planning. We are delighted to be able to offer this service with the addition of Octopus investment services."
