Bell Potter boosts research muscle

Bell Potter Securities (BPS), a stockbroking-focused subsidiary of the Bell Financial Group, has revealed it has significantly broadened its research offering beyond stock-specific research.

BPS will now include asset allocation, sector allocation and model portfolios as part of an expanded research capability.

According to Chris Savage, head of research at BPS, the expanded research capability will bolster the firm’s position as a leading full-service stockbroking and financial advisory firm.

BPS has recruited Rob Crookston, who joins from Wilsons, in a new dedicated equities strategist role to support the research capability expansion.

Crookston currently serves as Wilson’s senior equity strategist, a role he has held for the last two years across a four-year tenure at the business, leading equity strategy and operating as lead portfolio manager of the Australian equity model portfolio.

Before joining Wilsons, Crookston was a senior economist in macroeconomics at Deloitte Access Economics for just over three years.

Crookston was recognised by BPS for his extensive experience as an equity strategist and research analyst spanning the Australian and UK markets, as well as his strong background in economics.

Savage said the firm was “thrilled” to welcome Crookson, adding that he would bring “invaluable depth and breadth of knowledge [to BPS’s] research team”.

Crookston commences today in BPS’s Sydney office.