Legal & General has recruited Robert Merrifield in the new role of Investment Research and Development
Director of IMRU, its specialist independent investment consultancy. Robert joined the company at the end of
last year to develop IMRU’s range of market-leading investment advisory and bespoke consultancy services
for external clients.
The Investment Management Research Unit (IMRU) was created in 2004 to operate as a consultancy within
the Legal & General group providing an independent investment research, risk analysis and fund ratings
service for up to 350 fully researched and risk-rated collective funds. The consultancy provides tailored
advisory services including fund selection, fund panels, governance and risk rating to Legal & General
Savings and to external clients including Nationwide Building Society.
Robert reports to Jamie Vale, Legal & General’s Director of Business Development, Platforms & Distribution
and leads a highly experienced team delivering cost-effective solutions to financial services providers, wealth
managers and financial intermediaries.
Jamie said: “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. He will head up an extremely successful team responsible for advising on over £62bn of AUA for leading clients. I look forward to working with Robert as we roll out our specialist investment consultancy services to new clients.”
Jamie Vale, Director, Platforms and Distribution
Robert Merrifield 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 Legal &
General. With RDR implementation less than a year away we anticipate a strong demand for our bespoke investment and governance services. I am delighted to have joined Legal & General, one of the UK’s most respected pension, savings and insurance companies.”
Robert Merrifield, Director and CIO, IMRU
Legal & General Savings recorded strong growth in AUA (reported in Q3 2011) with over £62.3bn in assets,
which has grown from £54.8 billon in assets under administration at the end of 2009. The Legal & General
platform – the Investor Portfolio Service, recorded platform assets had reached £5.2bn in Q3 2011.
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