The large manager-owned family office has appointed the first members of a new advisory board naming a former UK diplomat as its chair.

Global family office Stonehage Fleming has appointed Natalie Campbell and Anthony Wreford to join a new advisory team being chaired by former UK diplomat Lord Renwick. All three positions are effective immediately.

As a diplomat, Lord (Robin) Renwick (pictured above) was UK ambassador to the US and South Africa, and a crossbench peer in the House of Lords until 2018. He also has board experience at the Swiss luxury goods group Richemont AG, UK brewer SAB Miller, and British Airways.

Stonehage Fleming has a notable presence in South Africa, with family office, investment management, tax advisory, and sports and entertainment services in centres in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The group told this publication that the decision to create an advisory board was made 12 months ago. The new paid advisory team - more members to be announced - will meet four times a year primarily to advise senior management and support business development.

Lord Renwick has already served on the Stonehage Fleming Group board.

Also joining is social entrepreneur and A Very Good Company founder Natalie Campbell, who spun the venture from a social innovation consultancy she launched in 2011. Campbell is currently CEO of Belu Water and a board member for the London Economic Action Partnership, a local enterprise bringing councils and local business together. She also serves on the board of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation.

The third advisor Anthony Wreford is former deputy chairman of Omnicom Europe and former president of the old cricketing body the MCC, owner of the Lord’s cricket ground. Wreford is involved in a variety of non-executive roles, including Mayfair-based technology group FPE Capital and sports management consultancy Portas Consulting.

Group chief executive Chris Merry said: “I am pleased to announce the launch in what is an exciting new development for our business. Our accomplished members will bring an independent view to our client proposition, products and services to ensure that we continue to evolve our offering to meet the needs of our global client base."

The advisors will also act as ambassadors helping to "strengthen the brand in their networks and introducing the group to potential clients," the firm said.