Square Mile Investment Consulting and Research (Square Mile) today confirms the appointment of Mark Harries as Chief Investment Officer, with immediate effect. In this new role, Mark will take responsibility for further developing the firm’s investment management services, its principles, process and procedures. Reporting to Chief Executive Officer Richard Romer-Lee, Mark will oversee the portfolio management team as well as playing a central part in Square Mile’s engagement with both existing and potential clients and assisting in new business generation.
Mark joins Square Mile with exceptional market experience drawn from a career spanning in excess of three decades in the investment industry. Most recently, he was Managing Director and Head of Investment at Ravenscroft Investment Management where he established the firm’s UK business, launching both funds and DFM solutions for intermediaries, and managing the top-performing Huntress Global Growth and Huntress Balanced funds. Prior to this, he was Investment Director and Head of Manager Selection at Aberdeen Asset Management, responsible for managing and advising on a book of more than £15bn across portfolios of funds, manager of manager mandates and retail risk-rated funds of funds.
Mark’s earlier roles include Investment Director and Head of Multi-Manager at Scottish Widows Investment Partnership, which saw him design the investment process and philosophy guiding the multi-manager division and manage the SWIP multi-manager fund range. He joined SWIP from Cazenove Capital Management where he was a Director and Head of Multi-Manager, and where he launched the first ever multi-asset, multi-manager fund in 2005. Previously, he was Vice-President and Head of Asset Management at Prudential Bache International Bank, an Investment Manager at ANZ Grindlays Private Bank and a Senior Unit Trust Administrator at Coutts & Co.
Richard Romer-Lee, Square Mile’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We have seen tremendous growth across our investment management business as advisers seek to outsource this important element of their offering to trusted partners. It is essential that these services continue to develop to ensure they remain best in class whilst adhering to the very highest levels of governance. In appointing Mark to the new role of Chief Investment Officer, we aim to demonstrate that Square Mile takes its responsibility as a guardian of client assets extremely seriously and as being of fundamental importance to the business as a whole. As a pioneer in multi-asset and multi-manager investing, Mark has an unparalleled pedigree in designing, developing and executing investment solutions on behalf of clients and as CIO he will be pivotal in delivering the next stage of Square Mile’s growth.”
Mark Harries added, “I have followed the growth of Square Mile closely over the years and it is apparent that despite its relatively short history, it has become established as one of the leaders in its field, highly-regarded and trusted by asset managers and advisers alike. This is an exciting time to be joining the business and I look forward to adding my experience to an already impressive team of investment professionals.”
Jason Broomer steps downs as Investment Director
Square Mile confirms that Investment Director Jason Broomer has decided to take a career break. He has therefore stepped down from his role and will leave the firm on the 1st May 2021.
Richard Romer-Lee said, “As a co-founder of Square Mile, Jason has played an important part in its growth and has been integral to its success over the last seven years, during which time he has become a valued and trusted colleague and friend. We would all like to thank Jason for his invaluable contribution to the business and to wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.”