L&G appoints Merrifield to develop advisory business
From People Moves Feb 6 2012 BY: Esther Armstrong
, Senior Reporter
, Portfolio Adviser
Legal & General has hired Robert Merrifield in a newly-created role of investment research and development director of IMRU, its specialist independent investment consultancy.
Merrifield joined the company at the end of 2011 and is charged with the development of IMRU's range of investment advisory and bespoke consultancy services for external clients.
IMRU was created in 2004 to operate as a consultancy within the L&G Group and to provide an independent investment research, risk analysis and fund ratings service for up to 350 collective funds.
The consultancy provides tailored advisory services from fund selection and fund panels, to governance and risk rating.
Merrifield reports to Jamie Vale L&G's director of business development, platforms and distribution and will lead a team responsible for delivering cost-effective solutions to financial services providers, wealth managers and financial intermediaries.
He commented: "IMRU is ideally placed to deliver a wide range of market leading advisory services to financial services providers and intermediaries, and is backed by the financial strength of L&G. With RDR implementation less than a year away we anticipate a strong demand for our bespoke investment and governance services."
Vale added: "Robert brings an enormous weight of investment expertise to this newly created role and will also act as CIO of IMRU. He has over 25 years’ experience in the City as an investment manager and leading research operations in both fund management and wealth management companies."