When

Tuesday, July 9th, from 6pm - 7:30pm BST

Where

Online via Zoom.

Format

There'll be a great line-up of speakers plus ample scope for discussion and debate.

About the book...

After ending his association with Vertem Asset Management in May 2021, Gary Stockdale contacted the FCA and the accountant of Collingwood Wealth LLP, a vehicle from which he was remunerated, expressing concerns about a potential fraud. Neither agreed with his concerns. After the parent company of Vertem Asset Management, WealthTek, was placed into special administration in April 2023, Gary received many requests from clients of the business seeking help and guidance. Due to the complexities of the situation, that is alleged to be the largest individual fraud perpetrated by an FCA authorised person, it was suggested that he write a book.

The book takes readers through the evolution of the business, from concept to the point where Gary ended his association in May 2021. From here, it explores the failure of the whistleblower function, and the conflicts of interest between the FCA occupying the role of regulator, investigator and potential prosecutor. He highlights the grave injustice facing clients and the attempts of the FCA to obfuscate blame, via control of the public narrative.

The book is is available via Amazon. The royalties received will be donated to Children’s Cancer North.

About the author...

GARY STOCKDALE

Gary currently works as an Investment Director at Vesta Wealth, where he manages a model portfolio service.

Prior to this, he was Head of Research at Vertem Asset Management, from January 2011 to May 2021. Heended his association with the business owing a variety of concerns, leaving to work for the largest client, Vesta Wealth. As part of the move, the model portfolio service Vesta Wealth outsourced to Vertem Asset Management was moved in-house.

Before working with Vertem Asset Management, Gary worked as a Portfolio Manager and Assistant Director at Barclays Wealth and Brewin Dolphin.

Alongside working in financial services, he was occupied the role of Associate Lecturer at Newcastle Business School between 2010 and 2014.

He will be joined by...

NIGEL RAWLINGS

Nigel Rawlings was educated at St Olave’s and St Saviour’s Grammar School from 1964 to 1971. He began his career in finance in 1971 as an A-Level trainee at Simon & Coates, stockbrokers. He quickly advanced, moving to the American Department in 1973 to handle currency transactions, and then to the Professional Funds Department in 1974, where he provided advisory investment services to clients. By 1979, he became a member of the Stock Exchange and an Associate of Simon & Coates, and in 1984, he was promoted to Junior Partner.

Following the acquisition of Simon & Coates by Chase Manhattan Bank in 1986, Nigel co-founded A&R Equity Ltd, a discretionary investment management company. In 1997, A&R Equity was sold to Secure Trust (now Arbuthnot Banking Group plc), and Nigel became a director at Arbuthnot Fund Managers Ltd. He was appointed Senior Investment Director in 1999, where he introduced a structured investment process. Nigel resigned in 2002 due to a constructive dismissal issue, which led to a High Court case he eventually won on appeal in 2003. He then joined City Asset Management but left amicably due to differing strategic directions and the challenges posed by the Retail Distribution Review. By 2010, Nigel had navigated a distinguished career marked by resilience and adaptability in the evolving financial industry.

TOM MALLOCH

Tom Malloch is an investment manager who has run private client portfolios since 2010. Most recently he ran his own Edinburgh based business Malloch Melville founded in 2015 until its untimely closure in April 2023 as a victim of the WealthTek scandal. He has worked diligently ever since on behalf of affected clients.