TYNESIDE investment manager and stockbroking firm Vertem Asset Management has been listed as one of the best in the UK.

Investment news and data specialist Citywire, has named the Collingwood Street firm in its Top Ten Wealth Manager profiles of the year for 2011.

Vertem co-founder John Dance said “Since we started the company we always claimed that our investment approach was more dynamic, in-depth and a little different to the bulk of our peers, while also trying to improve overall client experience. This is a welcome recognition from industry experts that our claims and app- roach genuinely stand out and have merit.”

The writers of Citywire highlighted Vertem’s infectious and palpable enthusiasm for what they do, the scale of their intellectual legwork and described their approach as a whole- hearted positive. Citywire had profiled more than 100 national investment firms during the course of the year.

Vertem co-founder Gary Stockdale said: “As the financial industry tends to be South East-centric, it’s great that a firm from the North East has been recognised, especially in our first full year of operation.

“It is hard for new players without a reputation to gain trust from potential clients, especially so as most of our clients come via financial planners when you are up against big national groups and this accolade should certainly help our credibility.”