Seeking to tap continued interest in art and collectibles as investment sectors, financial industry professional Ravina Mather has launched London-based Art & Finance International, describing the firm as a “business development broker”.

Art & Finance International will put people working in the international art, music, collectibles and design market in touch with providers of art-related legal, accounting and financial advice.

Mather started the firm after a career that has seen her work in firms including Smith & Williamson, the investment management and accounting business, where she worked in public relations and business development. Other business roles include PR, marketing and development experience at Citigroup Asset Management and Morgan Stanley International, as well as law firms Fasken Martineau, Hogan & Hartson (now known as Hogan Lovells), Kirkland & Ellis and Morgan Lewis.

“We work internationally with private banks and their art banking services, accountancy firms, investment managers, family offices, insurance companies and law firms which specialise in giving arts-related and intellectual property advice to manage wealth for art, collectibles, music and design custodians, owners and producers,” according to Art Finance International’s website.

"We engage in client education to high net worth individuals, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, SMEs, charities and museums, landed estates, universities, the equestrian and bloodstock industry and multinationals and also within the wider financial and professional services communities themselves of art, music and design as asset classes in tailored specialist integrated wealth solutions for investment needs," it says.

The launch of the business comes at a time when – despite some corrections – interest around the world has grown in art and related areas as investments, in part due to rising spending power from the expanding emerging market middle class, and partly due to these assets’ status as “safe havens” amid concerns about inflation. (To view a recent interview with Citi Private Bank about such issues, click here.)