Financial advisory firm the deVere Group is to open an office in Sweden in the second quarter of the year.

The Stockholm base is the first of three offices that are to be established in strategic locations across Scandinavia in the near future. The inauguration of the deVere Group’s bureau in the Swedish capital is the next phase of the company’s far-reaching global expansion plans to open 12 offices in 2012, and to have 100 worldwide within the next five years.

Mark Saunders, who has been recruited to drive the deVere Group’s Scandinavia operation, brings extensive and senior level wealth management to his new role, including more than eight years specialising in expatriate financial planning in continental Europe.

“I am thrilled to be joining a company that has this enviable, internationally-renowned reputation for delivering an unrivalled, results-driven service for its clients. The deVere Group is an established and truly international organisation which has the expert know-how, infrastructure and technology to ensure all commitments are fulfilled,” says Saunders. “With the firm’s ambitious development plans and carefully-crafted, long-term strategy, this is an exciting time to become a part of the deVere Group, and I look forward to launching the well-respected brand in Scandinavia.”

Saunders is to report directly to deVere Group Director, Mike Coady, who is responsible for the organisation in Europe. He says: “We are delighted to have a professional of Mark’s stature joining our successful team as we embark on this next, and important, stage of our corporate growth.

“Scandinavia is a crucial part of our global expansion plan. Expatriates, major employers and leading investors in Sweden, and indeed in many neighbouring countries, have long been calling for the deVere Group to launch in the region and opening offices in Stockholm once again highlights our commitment to providing world-class, independent advice to expats wherever they may be in the world.”