AJ Bell promotes Ryan Hughes to lead MPS and multi-asset proposition

investmentweek.co.uk:

AJ Bell's Ryan Hughes (pictured) has been promoted to the role of investment director.

His responsibilities will include leading the firm's investment proposition, including its multi-asset fund range and its managed portfolio service (MPS) for financial advisers. 

«We have been able to deliver strong returns for customers across our funds and MPS, while reducing charges for customers and delivering great service,» said Hughes.

«I am really excited to be leading the team as we continue to grow and I look forward to continuing that in the near future with the appointment of a new head of investment research and head of investment product adding further strength.»

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AJ Bell's multi-asset funds have ongoing charges as low as 0.31% per year, while its MPS solutions offer an annual charge of just 0.15%. In the year to September, the firm's AUM has surged 68% to £4.7bn, including net inflows of £1.7bn.

Hughes has worked at AJ Bell since 2016 and has played a «leading role» in the development of AJ Bell's investment proposition, the firm said.

In his current role as head of investment partnerships, he oversees bespoke MPS portfolios for advised firms, something he will remain involved with.

Prior to that, he was a fund manager and discretionary portfolio manager at Apollo Multi Asset Management, as well as a senior fund manager at Skandia, now Quilter.

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Kevin Doran, CIO and managing director, added: «Ryan has played a vital role in developing AJ Bell's leading range of investment solutions for both advised and D2C customers. 

»As investments director, we are delighted he will be able to continue that fantastic work and