Tilney Smith & Williamson has appointed a new chief technology officer set to play a key role integrating the newly-merged firm.

Mayank Prakash, who joins from FTSE 100 utilities group Centrica, also becomes a member of the group executive committee.

Chris Woodhouse, the chief executive of Tilney Smith & Williamson, said that as the predecessor firms, Smith & Williamson and Tilney, worked towards the deal’s completion they recognised the importance of recruiting new talent and strengthening the leadership.