OBSR People
Richard Downs
Managing Director
Richard founded OBSR in 1999 and has over 30 years of industry experience. He was previously Managing Director of Buck Investment Consultants Ltd and responsible for Research, Investment Consulting, and running the Personal Financial Planning team.
Richard Romer-Lee
Research Director
Richard is a founder of OBSR and has overall responsibility for investment research and consultancy services. Richard has over 20 years of industry experience and has been involved in investment manager appraisal and selection since 1994. Because of his independent viewpoint and detailed knowledge of funds, markets and trends, Richard is a well-known and respected commentator on all aspects of the Investment Industry.
Nigel Whittingham
Development Director
Nigel joined OBSR in 2007, as executive board director. He has a broad base of experience in life companies and fund management. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge gained from setting up and running the multi manager businesses at both Insight and Edinburgh Fund Managers, where he was Sales and Marketing Director.
Phil Lindsay
Sales & Marketing Director
Since joining OBSR in 2005, Phil has concentrated on promoting the company and expanding the client base. His working relationship with the business goes back over many years through his previous roles with product providers. Prior to joining OBSR he was head of Bank Distribution for a major provider and was also responsible for liaison with industry commentators including OBSR.
Gill Hutchison
Investment Research Director
Gill joined OBSR in 2003. She is a senior member of the investment research and consultancy team. Gill looks after many client relationships and is also head of multi manager research. Gill previously worked for two private banking organisations as a Portfolio Manager for discretionary portfolios and has worked in investment management and research since 1992. She holds the Investment Management Certificate as well as an honours degree in French from the University of London.
Adrian Gaspar
Client Services Director
Adrian has worked with the two founding directors, Richard Downs and Richard Romer-Lee since 1997. He has 20 years industry experience covering life office, IFA and research roles. He oversees the Client Services team and is also responsible for promoting OBSRs web based research tool ‘Selector’ which he helped design and develop.
Amaya Assan
Senior Investment Research Analyst
Amaya is also a senior member of the investment research team and heads up the life and pensions fund research. Amaya has been conducting fund manager research and selection since 2000 for a private clients' stock broker, then a fund research and portfolio management company before joining OBSR in 2002. She has a Joint Honours degree in Economics and Spanish from Kingston University.
Nicholas Whalley
Senior Investment Research Analyst
Nick joined OBSR in 2004 and is a senior member of the research and consultancy team. As well as conducting research for all UK and Global funds, Nick looks after a number of client relationships on the consultancy side of the business. Prior to this, he worked as a private client fund of funds manager for an investment management company and as a private banking assistant. He graduated from The University of Nottingham with a BEng Hons in Manufacturing Engineering and Management. He holds the Investment Management Certificate and Investment Advice Certificate qualifications and is currently studying for his MBA from Henley Management College.
Cyrique Bourbon
Investment Research Analyst
Cyrique joined OBSR in 2006 and is involved in fund management group visits and the ratings process. He is also responsible for quantitative analysis within the Research team. Cyrique speaks French and German and joined directly from Reims Management School, having achieved an MSc in Management (Major Finance). During his studies he spent a year working for Russell Investment Group on an internship as a Portfolio Analyst.
Alexander Prineas
Investment Research Analyst
Alex joined OBSR in 2006 as an Investment Research Analyst. With 8 years experience in financial markets, Alex previously worked at ING Australia where he was responsible for fund ratings for their IFA network and fund supermarket products. Prior to that he worked in product development and marketing for ING’s funds management business. Alex holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance.
Alex Farlow
Senior Research Analyst
Alex joined OBSR in 2005 and is a Senior Research Analyst. He joined the industry in 1998 and ran the research area for a prominent National IFA before joining OBSR. Alex is AFPC qualified and holds a BSc Hons degree in biochemistry.
John Harper
Senior Research Analyst
John joined OBSR in 2004 to look after a number of panel clients. As well as looking after a number of IFA consultancy clients, John is involved in Life & Pension fund research. He is also responsible for the ongoing development of OBSRs online software, fund ratings site and IT. He joined the industry in 1998 and has experience of working within IFA businesses as well as in the development of Financial Services software. John holds a BSc Honours degree in business studies as well as being FPC qualified.
Jo Smith
Consultant
Jo joined OBSR at the end of 2006 to support the business in terms of marketing, PR, communications strategy and regulatory insight into the market. Jo is professionally qualified and has worked in the industry since 1988 and has accumulated a wide range of experience including technical, sales, marketing as well as technology development in a both an employed and consultancy capacity.
Karen Jones
Office Manager
Karen has worked with Richard Downs and Richard Romer-Lee throughout. She oversees data collection and manipulation leading to the production of the Investment Analysis fact sheets for external use. Karen also heads up office management.