Big deals made in the city
THE size and quality of the Brewin Dolphin operation in Newcastle is now much better known as a result of a successful marketing campaign to raise the profile of the business (formerly known as Wise Speke) – and a move to prestigious new offices at Time Central last year.
“We have a significant track record and expertise in offering a full service to both individuals, in the form of investments and financial planning, and also to companies, by advising them how to access money and make acquisitions to help them grow” says John Duns, business development and marketing director at Brewin Dolphin in Newcastle.
John, who joined Brewin Dolphin in early 2008 and helped spearhead the What’s Big is Brewin marketing campaign, added: “There are more than 300 people in our Newcastle office.
“Our multi-award winning investment banking team (BDIB) is located here with its head, Graeme Summers, overseeing national operations from the region for the Brewin Dolphin group as a whole.
“In recent years, Graeme’s team has floated local businesses such as Hargreaves Services, eaga and Vertu.
“Despite difficult market conditions for raising capital, the team has also just completed a fund £31m fund raise for Vertu, to assist in the company’s ambitious acquisition strategy.
“This major deal, together with advisory/broking appointments to high quality companies such as Boldon-based Immunodiagnostic Systems plc, means the Brewin Dolphin Investment Banking business is in excellent shape for future success.
The investment management side of the business has also been highly resilient in challenging markets.
Charles May, investment management managing director for the Newcastle office, explained “We have six large teams of qualified investment managers advising several thousand clients here in Newcastle.
“Our primary objective over the last year has been to protect our existing clients from the difficult market conditions and ensure that, wherever possible, we can provide them with an income from their investments - subject of course to their individual requirements.
“The very low savings rate on offer from banks and building societies has encouraged many clients seeking income to invest with us.
“Separately, we are encouraging new clients to meet with us, and this campaign has been highly successful.
“Our investment management team is backed up by the largest financial planning team in the region whose expertise in corporate and individual pension planning is particularly well regarded”.
The Newcastle office of Brewin Dolphin is the second largest in England for the FTSE- 250 Brewin Dolphin Group, which in turn is the largest independent private client investment manager in the UK with some £16bn of funds under management.
The comprehensive service offered is best illustrated when a successful entrepreneur, for example, wants to grow their company.
“We can advise on floating the company on the stock market and making subsequent acquisitions. We can then help invest the money made by the employees of the company, as well as helping with their financial planning for the future.
“We can also manage the company’s pension scheme. It’s an all round service right here in the heart of the North East” says Charles May.
