CLIENTS and friends have helped celebrate 10 years of Brewin Dolphin Guernsey. The private client investment management and stockbroking business threw a birthday party at the Fermain Valley Hotel.

With 10 staff, it is one of 37 similarly sized regional offices within the group, which claims its decentralised structure is key to its highly personalised service by ensuring direct client contact.

In attendance was chairman Jamie Matheson, who said he was delighted to be celebrating the milestone.

‘We are very keen on being located in all the key locations and see Guernsey as a very important business area. The office has worked out very well and, from our point of view, we hope that clients continue to enjoy the service we offer.’

Among the guests was Karen Michel, an administrator at Stenham Trustees, a client of the firm. She said Brewin’s staff always went beyond the call of duty.

‘They are very efficient and accommodating when dealing with enquiries and a particular quality is they always make themselves available after hours. If you have a problem, they bend over backwards to help you.’

Mrs Michel said Stenham used to use a broker in the UK, but the face-to-face service offered by Brewin was far more convenient and relevant.

Allister Carey and John Willmott opened the office in July 1997. Mark Bousfield and current managing director Chris Brock joined at the end of 1999 at the height of the dot.com bubble. Toby Peatfield joined in 2001.

Mr Brock said: ‘Three years after Mark and I joined, the FTSE had fallen by 50% and the Nasdaq by 75%. Despite our impeccable timing, we have succeeded in growing the business and thankfully we have seen some good years in the markets.’

The Guernsey office, like all the regions, is overseen by the headquarters in London, from where it also receives operational and administrative support.

Two other centres in Newcastle and Edinburgh also serve the regions.

‘I would like to think that their patience has been rewarded,’ said Mr Brock.

The local team includes four on the trading desk, four running discretionary portfolios, compliance officer John Bihet and business-development manager Paul Matthews.

Mr Matheson said the decentralised group structure worked very well.

‘It is very important that clients meet directly with the manager looking after their portfolio in order to give them exactly what they want. We believe very much in offering a bespoke service.’

Mr Brock told the gathering: ‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank our clients for their support over the years and I look forward to dealing with you all in the years to come.’