New staff (left to right) Dale Hubber-Richard, David Smith and Janet Harvey with Brewin Dolphin Jersey business development manager Nick Browning. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0666555)

THE team at Brewin Dolphin is looking forward to a steadier 2009.

Last summer, the local office lost nine of its 10 staff.

It meant people from the investment manager’s offices in Jersey and the UK had to be drafted in to fill the gaps.

The largest independent private client investment manager in the UK acted as quickly as possible to address the situation and, by the end of September, two new divisional directors were in place at St Peter Port House in Sausmarez Street.

David Smith was appointed from International Asset Monitor in August and Dale Hubber-Richard followed from SG Hambros in September.

Both have considerable experience of operating with and in hedge funds, alternative funds and absolute returns.

Mr Hubber-Richard said he had little hesitation in taking on the challenge at Brewin Dolphin after he had had discussions with UK executive director Sarah Soar and it was he who suggested to her that Mr Smith would also be ideal for the company as the pair had already worked together at the Bachmann Group.