Brewin Dophin aims to guide investors; ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE.

WITH the recession continuing to create widespread uncertainty within the markets, investors could be forgiven for squirreling away their cash under the nearest mattress.

However help is at hand as a series of free seminars by investment specialists Brewin Dolphin aims to show that there are still plenty of opportunities to maximise returns.

Offering a diverse range of investments from equities to bonds and hedge funds, Brewin Dolphin is keen to highlight that it is more than just a stockbroker. Brewin's Newcastle office, which is the firm's third biggest UK base, has been providing analysis and advice to a long list of private individuals, charities and multi-million pound institutional clients for over 100 years. And it is this impressive degree of knowledge that it is keen to pass on at a series of seminars which will touch on a number of key issues that have become all the more prevalent since the onset of the global downturn.

Beginning in October, the first event will see Brewin Dolphin divisional director Richard MacAlister lead a seminar entitled Investment Strategies for a Global Downturn, which will look directly at the problems, and the opportunities, that face investors at the present time. Mr MacAlister has played a central role in the firm's Newcastle operations since 1986 and sits on various committees at group level including chairing the monthly asset allocation committee in London.

As well as looking at some of the 'safer' securities such as bonds and gilts, it will also look at some of the sectors which are available, and asking when is it the right time to return to traditional equities.

Together with a highly regarded investment management team, the Newcastle office also runs an established investment banking operation, and it is this team which will present a Research Seminar that will provide a behind-the-scenes insight into how it rates companies in order to assess their investment potential.

The seminars, which also include one by Brewin's chief strategist Mike Lenhoff and include a Q&A session as well as a buffet lunch, also promise to be light on jargon and accessible to all those left bamboozled by the cut and thrust of the financial markets.

John Duns, Brewin's marketing and business development director in Newcastle , said: "There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment when it comes to where to put your money. That is why we have decided to host these seminars as we have the experience to guide people in the right direction. "We have built up our business over a great number of years and want to show people that we are the experts when it comes to things like, pension, investments, savings and succession planning."

Previously operating as Wise Speke, the Newcastle business has been part of London-based Brewin Dolphin for 11 years. But its 300-plus staff working from a stylish modern office block in Newcastle city centre only recently took their parent company's name. The Newcastle business has since moved its offices to Time Central at Gallowgate, which is now the parent company's third-biggest base. As well as retaining a number of offices throughout the UK, including Teesside and has a turnover of about pounds 200m.

Mr Duns said: "These are difficult times financially for a lot of people and many are now in a situation where their pounds 250,000 worth of assets is now worth pounds 150,000 for example.

"Naturally they are worried about where they put there money. Through this series of seminars we want to show them that we are best placed to help them maximise their income and that there are still options available despite the troubled markets.

"We have always been highly personal in our service and are always looking to the long term when placing our clients' money. That is why we have been able to trade as long as we have."

To book a place at one of the seminars call Emma Finlay on 08450 596 326, or by email at [e-mail]

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GET THE KNOWLEDGE Brewin Dolphin wants to help guide investors in the right direction in difficult times. TIME TO LEARN Brewin Dolphin is hosting a series of investment seminars.