CoInvestor, a new alternative assets platform for sophisticated private investors, has made a wave of senior appointments to strengthen its board and advisory board, and help guide the business through its early stage growth as it seeks to transform the alternative asset investment landscape in the UK.
Launched in December 2015, CoInvestor’s online platform enables private investors to build their own portfolio of direct investments by co-investing alongside experienced fund managers on a deal by deal basis.
The platform has already attracted top fund managers including Oxford Capital and MMC Ventures, and has just signed a new partnership with Chelverton Asset Management. Further new managers are expected to be announced shortly.
As part of the changes, Matthew Peacock, founding partner at Hanover Investments, joins the board as non-executive chairman, bringing with him a wealth of experience in unlisted and listed company growth and M&A.
Peacock has previously led a series of successful growth investments as a lead shareholder and CEO and, since founding Hanover Investments in 2002, has led the change management requirement of numerous public limited companies, giving him extensive knowledge in advising businesses.
Sam Plumptre, an existing board member, has now been appointed as CEO of CoInvestor in order to support founder Charles Owen in the management of the business.
An ex-fund manager and corporate financier with extensive experience advising, investing in and starting growth companies, Plumptre has previously worked as a fund manager at Livingbridge, co-managing the listed investments for the Baronsmead VCTs and Wood Street Microcap Fund, and in investment banking for Société Générale and Evolution Securities.
Jonathan Polin, group CEO of Sanlam (UK), who is an early stage investor in the company, joins CoInvestor as an advisory board member. Polin brings a strong understanding of the wealth management sector which will be instrumental in helping structure the platform to work closely with financial advisers, providing them with a solution to gain and retain clients who are increasingly looking for higher risk and more complex investments.
CoInvestor has also just completed a recent funding round with new shareholders including two corporate investors: FinnCap, an adviser to ambitious growth companies, and a London merchant bank. The new funding builds on pre-existing capital raised from a range of sophisticated industry investors.
Owen says: “We’re delighted to have attracted such experienced advisers in Matthew and Jonathan to the company, and to have raised further investment capital from a wide range of industry relevant investors. Their combined extensive knowledge of the investment and wealth management sectors will greatly enhance our ability to evolve the platform to the benefit of fund managers and financial advisers, as well as the private investors themselves.
“Sam’s first-hand knowledge of the fund management industry, combined with his entrepreneurial experience and attitude will significantly add to the operation of the CoInvestor model as we target growth of both our fund manager and investor base during these early stages.”
Peacock says: “I’m delighted to become chairman of CoInvestor at this exciting phase of development. There is a genuine need for a solution like this within the traditional investment landscape which has undergone significant change since 2008. I look forward to guiding the business through rapid growth in our bid to establish a ‘new normal’ way of investing for private investors and fund managers alike.”
