Digital wealth manager Verso Wealth Management has recruited Brown Shipley’s James Robertson as client director to help built its new investment service, Verso Private Client (VPC).

VPC is the firm’s new dedicated investment service launched earlier this month for high-net-worth individuals.

Mr Robertson has more than 30 years of experience in private client portfolio management. At Brown Shipley he spent 25 years advising private clients on their investments and managing their portfolios on a bespoke basis.

His appointment is the latest in a series of additions to Verso’s investment team and investment range, part of a strategy to broaden its investment offering to meet the evolving needs of its clients and advisers.

Jack Byerley joined a year ago to manage Verso’s Collective Portfolio Service. Earlier this year, Tim Cockerill joined as investment strategy director, with the remit to develop Verso's investment proposition and to build a broader range of services.

Rory Smith, Verso’s chief investment officer said: “Over the last 18 months, we have worked with our advisers to evaluate our clients’ medium and long-term investment requirements. Where we have found gaps in our offering, we have hired the best talent to develop and enhance our investment range.”

James Robertson said: “A bespoke service that clients value is rapidly disappearing from many wealth management firms. The demand for this tailored approach has never been greater, particularly among younger investors and other recent beneficiaries of intergenerational wealth, who appreciate the greater levels of support and advice when defining their investment goals.”

Verso Investment Management is part of the Verso Group, a national financial advice and investment group. The firm operates from six locations across the UK and provides advice on assets exceeding £2 billion, as at Q2 2024.

The company spent much of 2022 acquiring Financial Planning firms around the country, including West Midlands Heritage Independent Financial Advisers and Sussex-based IEP Financial in December. It completed a total of five acquisitions in the year, including four Financial Planning and wealth management firms. It acquired Pavis Financial Management in January, CDC Wealth Management in March and Campbell Thomson Insurance Services in August, as well as its two December acquisitions.