Interactive Investor has made two appointments to its investment committee, including a high-profile journalist and the former head of investment companies research at Numis Securities.
Money Week editor-in-chief Merryn Somerset Webb has joined the platform provider’s investment governance committee, while ex-Numis researcher Charles Cade has joined the executive investment selection committee as an independent member.
Somerset Webb is also a columnist for the Financial Times and Saga magazine, a non-executive director of three investment trusts – Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon, Montanaro European Smaller Companies and Murray Income – as well as wealth management firm Netwealth.
Cade retired from broking with Numis Securities at the end of September 2019 following a 25-year career in listed funds. He previously held roles as head of investment companies research at Winterflood Securities and as a director of research at Merrill Lynch.
Interactive Investor chief executive Richard Wilson (pictured) said: “Merryn needs no introduction. A respected commentator on economics, financial markets and personal finance, Merryn brings a wealth of market experience and knowledge. She will bring additional oversight and challenge to a committee which is otherwise made up entirely of ii non-executive directors.
“Charles is renowned in the industry and his extensive experience in investment company research makes him an excellent addition to the investment selection committee.”
Somerset Webb said: “A huge number of people have started investing for themselves over the last few years (and the past year in particular). That has put the way in which providers of investment services operate firmly in the spotlight – and should, I think, remind us that platforms such as II have an enormous duty of care to customers. I look forward to holding II to account.”
Cade said: “After decades working as an investment company analyst, I look forward to putting my experience to use for the benefit of consumers.”
