AJ Bell is pleased to announce the appointment of Charlie Musson to the newly created role of chief product officer, overseeing the development and growth of AJ Bell’s dual-channel platform proposition across both the advised and direct-to-consumer (D2C) markets.
Charlie is currently managing director of AJ Bell’s fast-growing D2C platform business and will take up his new role on 1 May 2026. He has been with AJ Bell for over a decade, leading the development of AJ Bell’s brand and D2C platform proposition. His career in the platform market spans 25 years in total, including a 10-year stint at Quilter prior to AJ Bell.
This appointment comes as Billy Mackay retires from his role as managing director of AJ Bell’s advised platform business on 1 May and is part of a succession plan that will ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities to Charlie and a new managing director for the advised business. Billy will remain with the business as an executive consultant reporting to Charlie. In this new role Billy will provide ongoing strategic input into the development of AJ Bell’s proposition for advisers and continue to develop AJ Bell’s collaboration with adviser firms.
Also from 1 May 2026, AJ Bell is appointing two new managing directors to ensure single-minded focus on both the advised and D2C platform markets. Both have extensive experience of the AJ Bell business and will report to Charlie.
Mark Rendle has been appointed managing director of AJ Bell’s advised business. Mark joined AJ Bell in 2008 and is currently product director where he is responsible for the development of AJ Bell’s platform proposition for advisers.
Shaun Yates has been appointed managing director of AJ Bell’s D2C platform business. Shaun joined AJ Bell in 2010 and is currently strategy director where he is responsible for the strategic direction of AJ Bell’s platform proposition for retail investors.
AJ Bell CEO, Michael Summersgill says:
“Our business is centred around providing a market leading proposition, at great value, with exceptional service. These changes will ensure we remain focused on the unique needs of advisers and retail customers as we invest more in our product offering in both channels. Charlie, Mark and Shaun have played important roles in the success of AJ Bell to date and have a deep understanding of the platform market which will help us deliver our strategy to benefit both advisers and retail investors.
“Charlie has played a central role in building the AJ Bell brand and driving sustained growth in our D2C business and I’m looking forward to working with him on our broader product development and distribution strategy.
“Mark and Shaun have extensive experience of the platform market, with specific expertise in the needs of advisers and retail investors respectively and will drive forward the development of our platform proposition in both the advised and D2C markets.
“On behalf of everyone at AJ Bell I’d like to thank Billy for his immense contribution since joining the business in 2008 and personally thank him for the support he has given me over the years. During that time the business has enjoyed incredible success, transforming from a successful SIPP operator to one of the largest investment platforms in the UK, with over £108 billion in assets under administration and 673,000 customers. It’s great that he will continue to be involved with the business in his new role as executive consultant.”
AJ Bell chief product officer, Charlie Musson, adds:
“There are a number of significant regulatory and legislative changes impacting ISAs, pensions and financial advice over the coming years and we want to help advisers and customers navigate those changes successfully so that advisers can continue to grow their businesses and customers can continue to grow their wealth.
“Our scale and financial strength in both the advised and D2C markets positions us well to learn from each market and deliver engaging and intuitive user experiences that will be highly valued by advisers and retail customers.”