The group will also act as a group that will focus on addressing challenges for the sector including creating a regulatory framework that supports innovation and growth while addressing issues such as consumer protection and economic crime.

Lisa Cameron MP, chair of the new group, told the media, “We must ensure that we have an appropriate regulatory framework in the UK which supports innovation and guarantees that the UK remains an attractive destination for innovative firms to set up and grow. It is equally vital that we have a clear regime to protect consumers, ensuring they understand the risks, and are protected from the risk of economic harm posed by fraud and scams.”

The crypto advisory group was officially registered with the parliament last week and the members include former Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey and Tory MP Harriett Baldwin, a former JPMorgan executive.Cryptouk, a trade association for digital assets, will serve as the parliamentary group’s secretariat.

Previously, crypto advocates have warned that the UK government has been late to establish rules for digital asset businesses, which risks driving them offshore. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) also banned crypto derivatives for retail investors and also opposed crypto funds.

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March 15, 2017: The Islamic Finance Council UK (UKIFC) and international law firm CMS have announced an innovative partnership to help develop, support and optimise Islamic finance frameworks across the world. The aim is to offer a single, cohesive legal, advisory and capacity building service tailored to help government agencies, regulatory bodies and financial institutions to respond creatively and develop capacity for Islamic finance.

The partnership launches at a time when global Islamic finance assets are expected to rise from $2 trillion in 2015 to $3.5 trillion by 2021 — representing a 12% compound annual growth rate. Islamic banks are likely to be the main driver of this growth, with assets expected to reach $2.7 trillion by 2021 .

“With a growing Muslim population, the potential future demand for Islamic finance is huge,” says Shakeel Adli, Head of Islamic Finance at CMS. “By bringing together a unique blend of practitioners who are recognised leaders in the global Islamic finance market, we are able to draw on our collective knowledge and expertise to provide a one-stop shop offering a truly unique and holistic approach to Islamic finance.”

UKIFC and CMS have recognised that the availability and effectiveness of Islamic finance in any given jurisdiction depends on meeting a number of challenges; the two most significant of which are creating robust regulatory frameworks and developing human talent. To effectively engage in Islamic finance, investors, consumers and financial institutions require regulatory clarity. It is also of critical importance that human talent is developed to address the unique challenges which Islamic finance presents.

The UKIFC and CMS partnership will assist jurisdictions to meet these challenges.

“As leaders in our respective fields, we share a commitment to growing the Islamic finance industry,” says Omar Shaikh, Advisory Board Member at UKIFC. “By combining our capabilities, we have created a uniquely comprehensive, best in class government advisory providing support and guidance for government agencies, regulatory bodies and financial institutions as they look to build their capacity and create enabling legal and regulatory frameworks for Islamic finance.”

The UKIFC was established in 2005 as a specialist advisory and developmental body focused on promoting and enhancing the global Islamic and ethical finance industry. Having contributed substantively to the development of the UK government’s Islamic finance framework, the UKIFC has been appointed to advise several regulators and government ministries across Africa, Asia and Europe and has developed a proprietary methodology for government policy advisory within a secular context.

CMS has extensive experience of successfully delivering Islamic finance regulatory advisory projects in multiple jurisdictions, including Kazakhstan and Oman. Significantly, CMS has a geographic footprint which includes 65 offices spread across 38 jurisdictions. The firm has deep local roots with access to cross-border expertise and strong connections to governments and associated agency bodies in each of the conventional, Islamic and ethical finance sectors.

“The new partnership between UKIFC and CMS offers a team of passionate and committed Islamic finance experts that genuinely combines legal, finance and capacity building ability that is unlike any other advisory firm,” Omar Shaikh said.

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March 15, 2017: BTL GROUP LTD. (TSX Venture: BTL) has announced that Jon Downing has joined its advisory board. BTL, which operates from both Canada and the UK, offers blockchain solutions to businesses.

Over the last 25 years, Jon has successfully delivered innovation, business and technology services at some of the largest and most respected global companies, including Visa, J P Morgan, HP Enterprise Services & American Express.

Over the last two years, Jon was a key member of Visa Europe’s Innovation Hub, Visa Collab, which was responsible for identifying and testing the most exciting, revolutionary ideas in payments and developing them into commercial realities. He set up and led the blockchain practice at Visa Collab and was responsible for leading multiple high-profile proof of concept initiatives with key start-up companies, including BTL, testing ideas for new products and services across the whole payments eco-system, with specific focus and thought leadership in the blockchain and crypto-currency domain.

“I am joining BTL because I passionately believe in the transformational potential of blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies,” Jon said. “BTL have correctly identified and solved for the privacy and scalability challenges through the innovative design and architecture of their Interbit solution, which I directly experienced during the Interbank Settlement pilot, along with BTL’s focus on excellence, meeting and exceeding client expectations, along with building a compelling vision for the future. I look forward to working with BTL’s leadership team and board of directors to help realise the company vision of bringing the world’s critical systems into consensus.”

“BTL has had a strong start to the year with the launch of our European energy pilot and continuing work in the interbank-settlement space,” said Guy Halford-Thompson, BTL’s Chief Executive Officer. “We believe Jon’s experience in the finance space will help us accelerate commercialisation of our Interbit platform. Jon’s domain expertise, as well as his experience growing and managing large teams, are critical skills which BTL will greatly benefit from as we continue to expand this year.”

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August 1, 2016: deVere USA Inc, part of deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organisations, will expand its Miami office. It has had a presence in the South Florida city since June 2011, but has now moved to larger premises in the main financial district to accommodate more advisers to meet demand.

Gareth Jones, deVere’s area manager in Miami, explains: “Whilst New York – which is, of course, the financial epicentre of America – remains our HQ and super hub office, skyrocketing client demand across the US has driven the need for another hub office from which advisers can help our growing numbers of U.S.-based clients wherever they choose to live and work.”

He continues: “With this in mind, we have recently moved into larger premises on the prestigious Brickell Avenue, famed for having the largest concentration of international financial institutions in the US.

“This relocation is part of a strategic expansion that will allow us to take on more financial advisers and support staff to meet the continually increasing demand, not only in the Florida region, but in neighbouring states and further beyond too.

“There are currently 11 of us in the Miami office and we are looking to at least double this number within the next 12 months.

“This operational development will allow us to further enhance deVere USA’s national position as the ‘go-to’ and most trusted advisory firm for international investors and expats.”

In 2013, as part of the “next phase of its global strategy for growth”, deVere Group announced it would not open pan-America offices as it had planned before, but instead would focus on a few key cities from which its consultants can serve their clients over a wider geographical area.

New York was the first ‘super hub office’, whilst Miami and San Francisco – the other deVere U.S. offices – remained more focused on their immediate surrounding areas.  Now the Miami office is preparing to look further than it did previously, as it becomes more of a hub centre.

Benjamin Alderson, Senior Area Manager of deVere USA, says it is a strategy that has been “wildly successful”.  He observes: “Our business has grown considerably over the last three years.  And, as the Miami expansion indicates, it’s a trend that shows no signs of slowing down.

“More and more expatriates and international investors in the U.S. are realising the need and the value of independent bespoke cross-border financial solutions, such as QROPS and we’re proud to say that deVere is who they are turning to in increasing numbers.

“We look forward to continued success and potentially, if the market conditions are right, expanding our existing West Coast office into a further U.S. hub.”

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Mustapha Mensah & Gloria Ofosu-Kusi

February 19, 2016: In the current situation of financial and investment uncertainties in Ghana, devoid of sophisticated and innovative investment solutions, certain individuals saw in this void an opportunity to create an Investment management haven. The company’s comprehensive financial analysis and tactical  investment decisions would be the Midas’ touch of investments throughout the country and elsewhere. The result of their innovation and diligence was McOttley Capital Limited, the investment citadel of McOttley Group of Companies in Ghana.

Financial markets the world over are becoming more complex and specialised. While opportunities for investment continue to emerge, the risks to investors continue to increase. Therefore, successes in the financial markets require expert management and professional skills with thorough primary market research and innovative investment products.

McOttley Capital Limited is a limited liability company licensed and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA). The company was established in 2013 and has for the past two years churned out productive investment solutions for its valued retail and institutional clients. The company’s umbrella is McOttley Holdings Limited, and McOttley Capital is one of the triad of the company’s subsidiaries. The others are McOttley Money Lending Limited and McOttley Properties Limited.

What McOttley offers

McOttley Capital’s investment products have been the solution to many individual and corporate financial predicaments for the past two-and-a-half years. It has been well-noted for its expertise in Fund Management, Corporate Financing and Research and Due Diligence.

Fund Management products

McOttley Capital’s Fund Management product is one that offers clients the prerogative of having every penny of their investment prudently managed, no matter the size of the investment. Their Fund Management product uses thoroughly analysed research conducted by their able Research Unit and scours the investment environment for suitable investment opportunities that uniquely fit the intent of each client.

They do this with the purpose of fulfilling each investment objective outlined by their clients, be they institutional or retail clients, and whether for short-term or long-term investments. The Fund Management schemes include Fixed Premium Investment, a fixed deposit scheme that offers clients the surety of a secure fixed deposit investment at highly rewarding yet realistic rates; McFund and McFund Plus Investments, both collective investment schemes providing their clients secure rates that mimic the surety of the country’s treasury bill rates yet delivering much higher satisfaction in rates; and McOttley Unit Trust (McTrust), another collective investment scheme providing clients with the best of both asset classes, investing in both equities and fixed income securities and thus assuring the investor of both safety and higher returns.

Besides these schemes, McOttley Fund Management also provides Pension Fund management for its clients, utilising a strategic approach to help clients manage all aspects of their retirement plan. McOttley Capital’s Pension Fund Management offers the fund a chance to grow at a pace above inflation and make a healthy real return.

McOttley’s Fund Management Investment schemes are designed to revolve around their clients aiming for their utmost satisfaction whatever their investment objectives may be. Fuelled by discerning analysis and thorough research, their highly skilled portfolio managers and analysts effect informed decisions and strategies that significantly impact clients’ investments ensuring their utmost satisfaction.

Corporate finance

In addition to these products, McOttley Capital also offers the option of corporate finance to its clients. McOttley Capital Corporate Finance aims to provide its clients with quality in the services it offers, whether they are corporate clients or individual clients with corporate concerns. This product has the target of solving any corporate finance difficulties with the client at heart.

With the support of thorough research, due diligence and analysis, their Corporate Finance team is able to use this highly validated research and information to guide corporations in their Mergers and Acquisitions. They use their skills of learned persuasion and credibility to support corporations garner funds for the  development of their institutions, for strategic development planning as well as assisting firms with the financial assessment of their companies and corporate restructuring and turnaround.

Through their corporate finance initiatives, they serve as intermediaries to raise funds for both small and medium scale companies in Ghana and elsewhere for clients who require professional expertise in company restructuring and planning. They advise clients on their short, medium to long investment decisions.

Research and due diligence

At McOttley Capital, they consider the research and due diligence the company produces to be the lifeblood of what the company is today and is yet to become. Their Research and Due Diligence navigates the intricacies of the Ghanaian, African and other international financial markets. They conduct meticulous analysis of micro and macroeconomic indicators, at the same time tracing and making subtle yet crucial financial connections and forecasts that impact the financial industry. Thus enabling them to add new meaning to an adage they strongly believe; that knowledge is power.

The goal of McOttley research is to analyse factors affecting the capital and money market, micro-finance industry, micro and macroeconomics and publish value added and timely analysis using up-to-date statistical techniques. Their use of modern analytical statistical tools, and in-depth assessment of investment horizons, financial occurrences and atmospheres from a top-down and bottom-up approach and how these in turn affect the unique investment decisions, made on behalf of their clients is a major contributor to making McOttley Capital a luminous rising star in the investment arena.

McOttley Capital’s Research and Due Diligence has not only greatly added value to staff of McOttley and their clients but also to the general public as the credible research conducted is often published in the media.

McOttley Capital has become the fast-growing company it is today because of the dedication of the industrious team of investment professionals, who work tirelessly employing the core values of  integrity, timeliness, professionalism, fostering relationships, going the extra mile and showing respect to all clients in all their investment transactions.

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Mustapha Mensah & Gloria Ofosu-Kusi

McOttley Capital Limited, the investment wing of McOttley Group of Companies, over the past several years has carved a distinctive niche for itself in the investment industry due to the impeccable service it offers its clients. Both corporate and individual clients throughout Ghana have come to associate McOttley Capital with unparalleled performance and quality of service.

As a testament to this, McOttley was recently recognized for its commitment to quality, leadership, technology, innovation and excellence by the BID Group in Geneva, Switzerland when it was bestowed with the 2015 BID Group International Star Award for Quality. This has made the firm, which was founded to provide the investment industry with robust, unique and economically versatile investment solutions, an exemplary model for others.

The firm has over the years provided services to its clients amongst, which are investment advisory service, research and due diligence and corporate finance services. McOttley Capital provides Investment Advisory Services to institutions and corporations to allow them to make shrewd and defining investment decisions on their personal investments and corporate financial issues.

The exhaustive research, due diligence and market analysis of the global and national economic atmosphere conducted by their highly competent research professionals serve as a financial compass, which effectively directs them as to which investment route to guide their clients and enable them reach their investment time horizon. Wholly taking into consideration their fiduciary responsibility, they are also able to offer their own expert and masterfully devised products to their clients where appropriate.

Knowing the client

Investors typically are exposed to a high level of investment risk in meeting their personal and corporate investment objectives. McOttley Investment Advisory Services seek to limit the risk by focusing on broad diversification with a disciplined approach. McOttley has the professional expertise to help clients achieve both their short-term and long-term investment goals. Together with their clients, they clearly establish their investment time horizon and goals, tolerance for risk, prudence and diversification  standards on which to preserve their investment process. McOttley Investment Advisory Services support clients and meet their investment philosophy by offering services which include:

• Venture Capital Financing
• Private Equity Financing
• Corporate Valuations and Share Pricing
• Corporate Restructuring and Turn-around
• Fund Management
• Capital Market analysis
• Mergers and Acquisitions

The Investment Advisory Services offer critical and thorough assessment of the investment objectives and address the expectations of clients.

McOttley Capital: Where the client is king

One key factor that has succeeded in setting McOttley Capital apart as a distinguished institution is quality client service. At McOttley Capital, they never lose sight of the fact that their success as a company is greatly attributed to their cherished clients, and they always ensure that they treat customers with the best of service. At McOttley, the client is indeed king. Every member of the staff of the firm conscientiously works to guarantee excellence in client service. Whether clients come in with simple enquiries concerning their investments decisions or with the intention of investing, they are fully attended to. Clients are enlightened on the numerous options available for investing by way of product portfolio. They are convinced of the track record of McOttley Capital, and therefore entrust their investment with the firm.

McOttley Capital believes that one never gets a second chance to make a first impression and ensure that their clients’ first impression of them is a lasting and worthy one. By always prioritising their clients, giving them their fullest attention and offering every bit of help they can offer, they endeavour to support them to achieve whatever financial goals they may have.

In a company where going the extra mile is in their DNA, clients do not unduly worry about their maturities, roll-overs or any other administrative processes for their investments; staff make these processes as simple as possible. Clients are personally contacted for directives on maturities a week prior to the specific dates, all redemption or roll-over intentions are promptly handled requiring only clients’ instructions.

At McOttley, clients are not just customers but individuals whose every transaction with them and slightest sliver of trust placed in them have built this company brick by brick, and helped them rise to the heights they have reached. Their occasional courtesy phone calls and visits to their clients to check on their welfare, complimentary gifts of opening a collective investment scheme account for their high-net worth clients, dispatching presents to clients on special occasions and distinct programmes designed to revolve around their clients, such as their Customer Service Week, are all in a bid to ensure they build a solid relationship with their clients to enable them serve their clients better.

The firm also embarks on programmes to present themselves to their clients by visiting schools, churches, corporate bodies and individuals to ensure that what they represent and can provide them by way of seamless capital solutions are readily available to them.

These activities and engagements on which they embark on behalf of their clients, to ensure their complete satisfaction with the service they provide them, are not simply things they do but are the cogs that drive the organisation and its growth.

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