Vertem Asset Management is a Discretionary Investment Manager with you in mind.
Vertem was born out of a desire to provide a specialist service to professional intermediaries; with whom we work very closely. Our experience within the investment field, as well as the wider financial market, highlighted that clients simply weren't receiving the service they deserved. We hold the principle of integrity very highly, and where some other business' priorities may lie with ensuring a rapidly expanding client base, our prime motive is providing a quality service for you. We don’t simply slot our clients into prefab boxes, we take the time to get to know you, and then construct an investment plan around your needs, your aims, and your individuality.
Our motivation is to provide a service whereby our clients can track their progress in order to understand our decisions, and thus ensure that their own philosophy remains integral to our solutions. We also welcome clients to speak directly to us about the investments we have made for them and the wider investment landscape. Through this, our investors feel a greater sense of connection with their accounts, and we ensure that our service achieves its utmost potential.
John is an investment manager and also the founder and branch principal of Vertem. He began his career at Wise Speke (now Brewin Dolphin) in 1996 and gained experience at international banks such as Merrill Lynch and ABN Amro before returning to Brewin Dolphin in 2004. He has worked with IFAs in building investment solutions for their clients over the last six years. He already holds a number of industry qualifications and is working towards completing the CISI’s flagship award, a Masters in Wealth Management.
“I have long been interested in financial markets and my academic skills were certainly mathematical rather than linguistic. Initially this suggested accountancy would be the right career, but fate took over when I was sent to Wise Speke by a temping agency, originally to stuff envelopes. Fortunately, they soon found other uses for me and my career has taken off since then.
“I enjoy the dialogue with clients and investors, helping them understand the factors that influence investments and talking through their portfolios. Making sense of the economic and corporate outlook and then translating that into sensible portfolios is all part of the challenge. My fascination and interest with all things economic or investment related, leads to the frequent use of the word ‘geek-like’ in describing me.
“Of course, we geeks rarely confine ourselves to one area and outside work I apply a similar dedication to cars. Although my intention is to race, drive and enjoy cars, the real joy is the never-ending tinkering, building, rebuilding and development process. Admittedly, this means many are near-permanently confined to the garage.”
Gary is a co-founder and head of research at Vertem and has worked in investment management for 11 years, including time at Barclays Wealth Management and latterly Brewin Dolphin, where he was an assistant director. He also acts as an associate lecturer in finance at Northumbria University. He won the Securities & Investments Institute’s (now the CISI) coveted National Award when taking his industry diploma. He is currently studying for a PhD in Finance.
“Although I used to watch share prices when I was at school and be interested in what caused them to move, I started my career in land surveying, which involved participating with early stage mining projects in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. However, even then I was intrigued about how they were financed. Ultimately, I put the two together and decided to pursue a career in finance and investments”
“The investment world is fast moving and dynamic. We are always pitting our wits against a vast number of other investors and I enjoy `working hard to find hidden value and growth opportunities in companies.
“Although most of my reading matter is on topics such as finance and economics, I enjoy the occasional classic and even have a few Harry Potter books lurking on my shelves. The lecturing has been an important part of building my knowledge base. Away from work, I enjoy spending time with my family and travelling.”
James graduated from Durham University in 2010 with a degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. James is the obvious choice for all pharmaceutical and biotech research in the office, but is also our client liaison manager. He is the main point of contact for all administrative aspects of client accounts, and is always on hand to help our IFA and adviser clients with any questions.
“Having completed my degree I originally intended to take a law conversion course. I wanted to use my scientific knowledge in a professional environment and therefore aspired to be solicitor in the life sciences sector or a medical patent attorney. In the process of navigating the various careers events at Durham, I did a period of work experience at Vertem. I found that I could fulfil all my career ambitions and interests within the investment world.”
“Finding companies undervalued or misunderstood by the market and getting it right is very rewarding. Investment requires an appreciation of so many disciplines: economics, politics, business and science amongst others. It requires an understanding of high profile events from the recent credit crunch and current sovereign debt crisis to global, regional and national growth, domestic and international interest rates and the implications of subjects sensitive to the public such as austerity.
“I am very much enjoying learning from two experienced professionals. They are always more than happy to take the time to explain aspects of the industry and investment world to me and include me in investment discussions. These are often the things I enjoy most about my job.”
“I am an aspiring golfer – every company needs one. However, historically my sporting interests have tended to be in racket sports, including occasionally representing my county at badminton.”
Vertem Asset Management is a trade name of Raymond James Investment Services Ltd (Raymond James), utilised under exclusive licence.
Our affiliation with Raymond James allows us to run an independent practice and offer a client focused, personalised and flexible service, that is backed up by the support and expertise of a large institution. Raymond James provides the administration platform, client reporting and trading systems we use, access to the custodian, whilst also providing compliance, supervision, training and competence and FSA registration services.
Raymond James provide access to a variety of global research tools and adviser support functions, such as tax reports, enabling us to make the right investment decisions and manage your investments efficiently.
Raymond James is a subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc., which is a diversified financial services company, selected by Forbes as one of the “Best Companies in the World” in its 2011 Global 2,000 ranking, with more than 2 million client accounts and $270 billion under management. Raymond James commenced operations in 2001, and now has 68 affiliated offices and client assets of £2.63 billion in the UK.*
*Raymond James Financial and Raymond James Investment Services stats as of December 31st 2011
For more information please visit www.rjis.co.uk
