THE representative body for Scotland ’s financial services industry has appointed two senior industry figures as new directors.

Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE) has welcomed Anthony Rafferty, managing director of fintech company Origo Services Limited, and Vida Rudkin, a managing director of Morgan Stanley, as the third and fourth new additions to the board in the last six months.

The recruitment of Rafferty and Rudkin, who is the co-head of Morgan Stanley’s Glasgow office, follows the appointments this year of chairman Philip Grant, of Lloyds Banking Group, and board director Sue Dawe, EY’s head of financial services in Scotland.

Grant said the two fresh additions to the board are “hugely positive” for the organisation and the financial industry as a whole.

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“SFE has been privileged to have a consistently high calibre of board directors, and these new appointments ensure that legacy continues,” he commented.

“Following the introduction of a new strategy two years ago SFE’s role, in addition to representation, is now firmly anchored in facilitating collaboration across our diverse and accomplished financial services ecosystem.”

In the last year, SFE has initiated several significant strategic plans, including the launch of the first prospectus designed to promote the collective might of the industry and the introduction of an innovative recruitment hub in Glasgow. A nationwide schools programme, providing opportunities to promote Scotland’s financial services to young people from all backgrounds, has also been launched.

The organisation has enjoyed a 60% increase in the membership of the SFE Young Professionals network. This follows the appointment of a new chairperson for the group earlier this year, as well as two deputy chairpeople in Glasgow and Edinburgh last month.

Grant added: “Our industry is a community that makes a positive impact on the inclusive growth of the economy, the outcomes and experience of our customers and clients as well as the communities we are all part of.

“I am very proud to be chairman of an organisation with such a pivotal part to play in the continued success of the industry in partnership with key stakeholders and I am grateful to be supported by an engaged and active board.”