bridport & co hires team of fixed income specialists

Friday 27 October 2017

bridport & co Ltd are growing their Jersey based asset management business and have hired a team of highly experienced fixed income specialists.

Peter Smart, Gary Duncan and Andrew Gillham all have long and successful track records in fixed interest markets, and will aim to provide innovative, and personally tailored, services to the firm’s existing and future clients.

The trio were previously employed by Brewin Dolphin in Jersey, and represented the group’s specialist fixed interest team. Mr. Smart, who spent 22 years with the UK based wealth manager, was Head of Fixed Income for the group’s asset allocation committee. Mr. Duncan held the post of Senior Investment Manager for 16 years, while Mr. Gillham worked as a credit analyst and fund advisor for 8 years.

All three men are members of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and have prestigious long term backgrounds in the finance industry, having worked for major global private banks and stockbroking firms prior to their days at Brewin Dolphin.

Mr. Smart, the company’s new Chief Investment Officer, said: “With our extensive background in managing investments in fixed income markets, and bridport’s  experience and expertise in research and trading, we are extremely excited by the new opportunities that are open to us through bridport’s asset management arm here in Jersey. The wealth management industry, particularly with regard to bond markets, has steadily been driven towards standardised funded solutions in recent years. Whilst packaged solutions undoubtedly have their place, many of our clients are increasingly remarking on the apparent disconnect between what they desire, and what solutions they are being offered, when it comes to their income, and fixed interest, requirements. ”

Jason Jones, head of the company’s investment management business, added:  “As part of our long term growth strategy, we have been looking to expand our asset management offering, but we have been patient in waiting for the right opportunity to emerge. In Peter, Gary, and Andrew, we are delighted to have such a highly experienced, reputable, and qualified team of investment professionals join our business. Bond markets have become both much more complex, and much less liquid in recent years, and having the staff in place who truly understand both the economic and market conditions, at a time when so many institutions are able to offer only broad brush solutions, enables us, I believe, to provide the pre-eminent fixed interest offering in the offshore market. ”