A TRIO of former colleagues are betting on Brighton with the launch of a new investment boutique.

Former Brewin Dolphin Brighton office manager David Pegler is working with ex-directors Ewen Emmerson and Francis Jarman, as well as former Barclays Wealth head of strategy and proposition Tim O’Connor, on Brighton Wealth Management.

The trio left Brewin after the financial giant quit Brighton for a move to Reigate and have been on gardening leave for the past six weeks.

Now they are going against the tide of financial services that have left the city with a commitment to Brighton.

The vote of confidence follows the departure of UBS, Ashcourt Rowan, Baker Tilley and Brewin.

Mr Pegler said: “It’s a continuing story that for some reason Brighton financial institutions think Brighton is a great idea and then change their mind.

“Because of our success with Brewin Dolphin I think we think the opposite. People assume it hasn’t got the 360 degree appeal just 180 but I don’t think that way at all. We’ve decided to put out money where our mouth is.”

The boutique agency is currently based at the Sussex Innovation Centre (SINC) in Falmer and is aimed at private clients, families and institutions.

The team will invest in direct equities, fixed income, investment trusts, funds, exchange traded produces and structured notes.

Support for entrepreneurs and crisis management is part of the “one stop shop” on offer.

Mr Pegler said the service would have a combination of a “boutique feel with financial muscle” with the founders drawing from their wealth of financial experience.

He said: “We’ve really tried to listen to clients more than in the past. Going from a big business we can be much more agile, get the latest kit.

“We’re small enough to care, people believe in the personal approach. One worry people have is what happens to their assets if things go wrong? We realise that so are working with American finance giant Raymond James.”