Ian Baker has been appointed sales director of Capital Private Finance.

He will report directly to the joint venture board, and will be tasked to build a new team of advisers to provide specialist financial advice for high net worth clients.

The firm is the result of an exclusive joint venture between Countrywide and Mortgage Advice Bureau.

Baker joins from his most recent role as sales manager at John Charcol. He has also worked in estate agency-related financial services in his previous area sales manager roles held at Andrews Estate Agents and Spicerhaart.

Capital Private Finance is due to launch in August and will cater for the clients of Countrywide’s premium estate agency brands such as Hamptons International, John D Wood & Co., Faron Sutaria and UK Sotheby’s International Realty.

Peter Brodnicki, chief executive, Mortgage Advice Bureau, said: “Ian brings with him a wealth of experience in the southern residential property sector and his expertise