Praemium names John Martin MD

Mr Martin began his career in financial services in the mid-80s, working as a financial adviser and then sales manager. In 1999, he started his own IFA firm in the City, which later transferred to a National IFA where he became Regional Director for some 200 IFAs and firms in the South East. In 2006, he formed Radcliffe & Newlands, a small IFA firm of experienced and specialist advisers, where he is still a director. He has worked with Præmium for three years; firstly as a director of a consultancy firm on distribution and then became Sales and Marketing Director in May 2007.

He takes over from IT specialist, Mr Pete Burtonshaw, who, having helped establish Præmium's UK presence and overseen the development and implementation of its SMA technology for the UK market, is now moving on to new challenges at Fidelity, one of the world's leading investment management companies.

Commenting on his new role, Mr Martin said: "I'm delighted to be leading the company into an exciting period for Præmium. We've had a lot of interest from IFAs since we announced the approval of 'SO Smartfund'. Having spent so long discussing the general concept, we can now provide detailed information on how distribution firms can use Smartfund to build up assets under management without taking on the role of Fund or Investment Manager. My immediate task over the coming months is to launch both generic Smartfunds available to all, and bespoke white-labeled funds for those that want them."