We are pleased to announce another important step in our growth plans with the senior appointment of Cranley Macfarlane, who joins us as a Client Director from fund manager Tellsons Investors. Before that, Cranley spent nine years as an investment manager at JM Finn.

Following in the footsteps of Robert Hunter, who joined from Brown Shipley in July last year, and James Edgedale, former chairman of JM Finn who joined in September, Cranley further bolsters our growing Private Client team. Initially qualifying as a barrister at Middle Temple where he was a Diplock Scholar, the Edinburgh University history graduate went on to achieve one of the highest qualifications in investment management, the CISI Masters in Wealth Management. While at JM Finn, Cranley looked after a wide range of private clients and, among other accolades, was recognised by Citywire magazine as one of the Wealth Management industry’s ‘Top 100’.

Cranley Macfarlane shares his prior experience with Church House and what attracted him to the business.

I initially got to know Church House through their well-known corporate bond fund (the CH Investment Grade Fixed Interest Fund*), which at JM Finn was one of my preferred choices when in charge of Fixed Interest Funds and which, for many years, formed a cornerstone holding in client portfolios. Since then, I have got to know more about their investment approach and resolute focus on capital preservation, which underpins their enviable performance track record. CHI’s disciplined approach to risk management underscores their whole approach to portfolio management, something of which I fully intend to continue taking advantage.

James Johnsen, Director and Head of Private Clients at Church House commented:

I am delighted that Church House continues to attract colleagues like Cranley who provides the perfect fit within our growing private client team. As a private company, I believe what we can offer candidates of the calibre of Cranley is increasingly rare in our industry and am delighted that he has chosen Church House for the next phase of his career.

Jerry Wharton, Chief Executive Officer at Church House, said:

Cranley Macfarlane’s joining marks another important step in fulfilment of our ambitious growth plans and vision for Church House as being the natural home for clients and their managers who appreciate both our service ethos and the refreshing freedom to act that our size and market position afford us. 

With backing from the Cayzer Trust Company and an experienced management team, our aim is to be the benchmark for success amongst independently owned investment specialists. To achieve that aim, we need talented investment professionals like Cranley and I look forward to seeing more people of his calibre joining in the near future.