Meinertzhagen to take adviser post at Oriel Securities

Peter Meinertzhagen, one of the City’s most respected corporate brokers, is returning to the Square Mile as an adviser to Oriel Securities, the fast-growing stock-broking firm.

Mr Meinertzhagen has joined Simon Bragg, chief executive of Oriel, to help introduce new clients to the broking firm and help grow the business. Over his 45-year career in the City, Mr Meinertzhagen has advised some of the UK’s top companies such as Rolls-Royce, Lloyds Bank, BAA and BAE, and has been involved behind the scenes in some of the City’s biggest deals, such as breaking up Hanson, spinning off Vodafone and creating GlaxoSmithKline.

Mr Meinertzhagen, a former chairman of ABN Amro Hoare Govett, which is now owned by Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “I have always believed that independent corporate broking is the best for companies. Oriel has one of the best, young teams around in the City which is committed to giving that advice. It’s going to be great working again with Simon.”

The two worked together at Hoare Govett for nearly 10 years before Mr Bragg left and set up his own firm, Oriel, in 2002. Oriel now employs 90 people – who between them own the business – and provides broking, sales and trading, research and corporate finance to 55 corporate clients.

Mr Bragg said he was thrilled to have someone of Mr Meinertzhagen’s experience on board, adding that his corporate broking skills and contacts will be invaluable.

“It’s very exciting having someone of Peter’s stature helping us. Now is a good time for independent firms as there is no goodwill out there with companies. It’s also good for the UK to have its own independent corporate brokers rather than having to go to some of the big US players who are in trouble.”