CSAM boosts platform team ahead of launch

Credit Suisse Asset Management, in the build-up to its master trust launch next month, has appointed a formerBT Financial Groupstaffer to the role of platform development manager.

Louise Jones, who spent almost a decade at BT with her most recent position being national margin lending specialist, reports to head of platform development Robert Hayward who is also a BT expatriate.

The latest sign-up bolsters the group in advance of CSAM’s platform launch in May and adds to the recent appointment to the team ofAssociated Plannersinvestments platform manager Barry Porter.

Since revealing its plans in December 2003 to launch a master trust product, Hayward has set out to build a “product that not only meets advisers’ current needs but also has a flexible structure for their future requirements”.

In developing its strategy, Credit Suisse has leveraged its existing software platforms and technology and struck a deal with software providerIWLto create automated transactions for advisers.

According to CSAM chief executive officer Andrew McKinnon, the launch of the new product suite is in keeping with Credit Suisse’s mandate to gain recognition as a diversified financial product provider.

The master trust will initially offer a range of investment, superannuation and allocated pension products, and offer advisers a 100 basis point trailing commission option for investment menu recommendations.