Square Mile appoints new Business Development Director

08 January 2019 Consultancy.uk

London headquartered research and consulting firm Square Mile has appointed John Lester as its Business Development Director. The financial services industry veteran will oversee the firm’s business and managed portfolio services with financial advisors.

Founded in 2014, Square Mile Investment Consulting & Research is an independent professional services firm which works in partnership with regulated financial services firms. The consulting firm, which employs 29 staff including 17 investment professionals, helps advisors to develop informed investment recommendations, providing clients with information to help make the best decisions for their organisation.

As the firm looks to expand its operations and client-base in 2019, Square Mile has appointed a new Business Development Director. Experienced industry stalwart John Lester has been hired by the City-based investment firm, and he will now take responsibility for developing the consulting business and managed portfolio services with financial advisors, life companies and platforms. He will also help manage client relationships.

Square Mile appoints new Business Development Director

Lester joins from Investec Asset Management where he was Sales Director of Strategic Partnerships for six years. Lester’s career has encompassed a more than 24 year spell in the financial services sector, and he has worked with financial advisers and life companies in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Far East and Southern Africa in that time.

He began his career in banking before running sales teams in life assurance and asset management firms including Neptune Investment Management and HSBC Asset Management. Lester also holds a Certificate in Financial Planning (CII), alongside membership of the Personal Finance Society and the Institute of Directors.

Commenting on his arrival at the firm, Richard Romer-Lee, Square Mile’s Managing Director, remarked, “We are thrilled to welcome John to the team as his extensive experience and energy will contribute significantly to our next phase of growth.”