Newport, UK. April 17th, 2026 – Niche Private Clients, the specialist wealth management financial planning firm, has announced the appointment of James Squires as a Non-Executive Director.
James brings more than 15 years of experience across financial services, private equity and corporate finance. In his role at Niche, he will focus on the firm’s strategic development and long-term growth.
He joins Niche following 12 years at Phoenix Equity Partners, a UK mid-market private equity fund with approximately £1 billion under management, where he was a Partner leading financial services investing. Prior to that, he spent four years in corporate finance at DC Advisory. James studied Biochemistry at Oxford University.
Alongside his role at Niche, James holds a number of non-executive and advisory positions across the sector. He is a Non-Executive Director at Mobius Life, an institutional investment platform administering more than £30 billion for UK pension schemes, and at Great Yellow, which advises on the financing and performance of nature restoration projects.
He also advises BIGTXN, a provider of sanctioned securities screening solutions for financial institutions. The majority of the businesses he works with are FCA and/or PRA regulated, giving him deep experience of the strategic, commercial and governance considerations that shape financial services businesses.
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 appointment signals Niche Private Clients’ intent to invest in the long-term shape of the business, not just its growth. By adding senior experience from private equity and across FCA and PRA regulated firms, Niche continues to differentiate itself from more transactional models, with a clear focus on building a high-quality, strategically grounded firm.
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.”
For further information on Niche Private Clients please visit https://nichepc.co.uk
ENDS