Clubfinance scoops investment platform award

Clubfinance’s Frequent Trader platform has been named ‘Best for Frequent Traders’ in the Lang Cat Direct Platform Awards 2015.

Lang Cat, a financial services consultancy specialising in investment platforms, singled out Clubfinance’s Frequent Trader platform’s  ‘competitive trading charges’ as being particularly appealing to frequent traders.

Clubfinance’s standard online fee is £2.50 per share trade, tapering to as low as 50p per trade for accountholders with large portfolios. Fund investment and switching is free.

David Scrivens, co-founder and director of Clubfinance, said: “Our ethos is based on being low-cost and providing value-for-money, as exemplified by our maximum charge of just £2.50 per online UK share trade and free fund investing and switching.

“Though our Frequent Trader platform is clearly well-suited to experienced and active investors, its low costs and uncluttered trading screens, and wide choice of investments makes it a real alternative for more mainstream investors.”

For more details on the award see http://www.clubfinance.co.uk/FrequentTrader/Frequent-Trader-Lang-Cat-Winner.php

BERINGEA WELCOMES THREE NEW TEAM MEMBERS

London, August 7th 2015 - Beringea, the growth capital investor that manages the ProVen Venture Capital Trusts, has announced it has expanded its team with three new hires: Maria Wagner, Lillian Li and Gareth Hewins.

Maria Wagner joins Beringea as Investment Director. Maria was previously Managing Director of Birchbox UK, a beauty ecommerce and subscription business. Prior to this, she was on the investment teams at Virgin Group and GMT Partners, where she made investments and monitored portfolio companies, mainly in the digital and media sectors. Maria began her career as an analyst at Goldman Sachs and an Engagement Manager at McKinsey in New York. Maria has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from MIT.

Lillian Li joins the investment team as Investment Analyst. Prior to joining Beringea, Lillian was an Associate Consultant at L.E.K. Consulting. While there she focused on technology, consumer products, healthcare and private equity practices. Lillian holds a BA Hons in Economics from Cambridge University and a MSc in International Development from LSE.

Gareth Hewins joins Beringea's finance team as Funds Financial Controller. Prior to joining Beringea, Gareth qualified as a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young LLP, where he worked across their assurance and corporate finance divisions. Gareth has a degree in Accounting, Auditing and Finance from Lancaster University.

Managing Partner Stuart Veale commented: "Maria, Lillian and Gareth are all talented professionals with great experience in their fields. We are delighted to be welcoming them to Beringea where they will provide further expertise and strength to both our investment and finance teams.”

Howard Kennedy strengthens Commercial Finance Group with new partner hire

Law firm Howard Kennedy has strengthened its Commercial Finance Group with the appointment of new partner Marcus Jamson.

Marcus joined the firm on 3 August from Wedlake Bell, where he was a partner in its banking team.  He was until January 2014 a partner at Berwin Leighton Paisner for 14 years in its finance team.

He brings to the firm expertise in domestic and international corporate lending and has over 20 years experience in acting for a wide range of market participants including leading clearing banks, financial institutions, investment banks, private equity sponsors, senior and junior lenders, strategic investors, and corporate clients on both their financing transactions and on debt restructurings.

Howard Kennedy’s Commercial Finance Group acts for both institutional lenders and non- institutional lenders including bridge lenders, funds and private investors.  Clients of the 100-strong practice include Santander, NatWest, Secure Trust Bank and Dragonfly Finance.  Borrower clients including developers such as Galliard Homes, Ballymore, and City and Docklands.

Commenting on his appointment Marcus Jamson said: “I very much enjoyed my time at Wedlake Bell.  Ultimately, though Howard Kennedy’s Commercial Finance Group has a terrific client base and some extremely talented lawyers, and for those reasons I am delighted to be joining the firm and look forward to playing a role in the future growth of the practice.”

Steve Clinning, partner and head of Howard Kennedy’s Commercial Finance Group, said: “I am thrilled by Marcus’ decision to join Howard Kennedy.  He has a very strong track record and a good client following.  He will be a real asset to the Group and to the firm, I am very much looking forward to working with him.”