Brooks Macdonald, the London-based asset manager, has relocated its Winchester, Hampshire office – the first of its regional bases – to larger premises to accommodate its growth.

The original Winchester office, situtated in Waltham Chase, initially opened its doors in 2005 with five employees. Now, its roster having grown to 15 staff, the firm has relocated to a larger facility on the Dean Estate which has space for the expanded team, additional meeting rooms and further capacity to grow going forward.

A further advantage derived from the new location is that its proximity to motorway links makes the office more accessible to IFAs and their clients, said John Wallace, head of the Hampshire office.

Brooks Macdonald’s move to larger accommodation in Hampshire closely follows news that the firm is to manage the investment portfolios of the clients of Exeter’s RK Shipman on a discretionary basis under a new strategic alliance.

As at end-June 2010, Brooks Macdonald Asset Management’s funds under management stand at £2.2 billion ($3.5 billion), having been £915 million three years previously. Over 70 per cent of this growth has come through third-party introducers, the firm said.