Investor relations

Simon was appointed to the Board as an Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer on 19 May 2020. Simon is a Chartered Accountant and has over 20 years’ experience in asset management and the financial services sector gained in senior financial roles. Prior to joining, Simon spent five years as Group Finance Director for the Topland Group, one of the UK’s largest privately owned investment groups which focuses on real estate, hotels, healthcare and the provision of equity and debt finance. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Deloitte in its financial services assurance department in London and moved to Hawkpoint, the M&A advisory business, where he advised on public and private transactions, capital raises and IPOs in the financial services and mid-market sectors. From Hawkpoint he joined the financial services investment group, Pacific Investments, where he spent twelve years, latterly as Managing Director of Corporate Finance and Chief Operating Officer of fund management. While at Pacific Investments, Simon represented Pacific’s interests in River and Mercantile Asset Management LLP from its formation in 2006 until its merger in 2014 prior to the IPO of the Company. Simon has significant financial experience, having held a number of senior financial roles. This, combined with his asset management experience and previous knowledge of the Group’s asset management business, allows him to bring in-depth expertise on a broad range of relevant areas to the Board. His appointment completes the Group’s refreshed senior management team which is integral to the delivery of the Group Chief Executive’s strategy. Simon’s contribution to the Board and senior management team is key to the long-term sustainable success of the Company.