Rathbones builds investment capability to drive growth

Rathbones Group, one of the UK’s leading wealth and asset management firms, has appointed Robert Sears into the role of Chief Investment Officer to help deliver a world class investment capability for clients and drive its next phase of growth.  

Sears joins on 2 March, and his appointment is subject to regulatory approval. He joins from Capital Generation Partners, a private investment office managing investments for families, trusts and endowments, and will succeed Edward Smith and Liz Savage, Co-Chief Investment Officers, who have decided to leave the business to pursue opportunities elsewhere.  

Sears will report into Jonathan Sorrell, Group Chief Executive Officer.  As part of the changes, Ivo Darnley, currently Managing Director of Rathbones Investment Management, will become Chair of Wealth and Investment at the Group.  

Jonathan Sorrell, Group CEO of Rathbones Group, said: “A world class investment capability is at the heart of how we deliver exceptional outcomes for clients, and differentiate as a firm. It’s the engine room of performance, trust and long-term value.”  

“I want to thank both Liz and Ed for their significant contribution to the business over many years and particularly their last four as co-CIOs,” Sorrell continued. “And I welcome Robert, who brings great depth and breadth across all aspects of investment. His clear investment framework and operationally scalable approach will position us for the next phase of growth.”  

Sears will join after 13 years with Capital Generation Partners, where he is Partner and Chief Investment Officer. He previously spent four years with Merrill Lynch, in its Structured Solutions Group. He holds a Master of Mathematics degree from Oxford University and a Master of Finance degree from Cambridge University.  

Robert Sears said: “I am delighted to move into this role as Rathbones enters a new phase of growth. Following its successful integration with Investec’s investment and wealth business, Rathbones has the scale and ambition to lead the UK wealth sector, and I am excited by the opportunities ahead to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients.”  

“We are deeply grateful for the impact Liz and Ed have had, shaping our research team and capability over the past two decades,” Ivo Darnley added. “Their work on asset allocation, the integration, and embedding of Consumer Duty principles through our central investment process has helped to position us for the next phase”  

Ed Smith has spent over 11 years with Rathbones, and Liz Savage more than 20 years. Both will leave the business in May.