Our History
Torquil Clark has been in existence for over 15 years - here are some major points in the development of the company:
1989
November
Torquil Clark Associates Ltd is founded, with offices based at 23c Bedford Chambers, Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton.
1990
April
Regulator approves Torquil Clark Associates as an IFA and trading commences. Torquil Clark is a generalist IFA, with one adviser - Don Clark. Clients are wide-ranging and Torquil Clark deals in investments, pensions, life cover and mortgages. A niche market is the involvement in French mortgages, due to Don Clark’s specialist knowledge in this area.
1994
February
PEPdirect - the UK’s first ‘deep commission discounting service’ - is launched with an advertising spend of about £6,000 over 12 weeks. 1,000 new investors are attracted to Torquil Clark / PEPdirect, quadrupling the number of clients who deal with the firm. About £6million in investments is arranged through Torquil Clark.
1994
May
Relocated to new offices in Church Street. Four full-time staff in total by year-end.
1995
First single page website produced. PEPdirect operates without advertising in a quiet year for investors. Clients contacted by early version of our bulletin. Ongoing business levels from existing clients are sufficient to warrant a full commitment to expanding PEPdirect.
1996
January
The PEPdirect service is taken onto the national stage, by hiring a PR and advertising agency, both for the first time. The company is given a target of selling £100million in PEPs or similar investments by the end of 2005. This is achieved in under two years.
1996
March
PEPdirect processes 2% of the UK’s PEPs.
September
‘Life assurance with cashback’ service is launched. Company relocates to Kings House, a former convent.
1997
£80 million under management with 14 members of staff (mid year).
1998
PEPdirect achieves £141million under management, including over £40milllion during the ‘PEP’ season. The company relocates to the magnificent St Marks building, a former church. Achieved Investors in People accreditation. Also finalist in the Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year competition.
1998
Autumn
Pension dealing service launched under a new division - TQ Direct Choice.
1999
April
The PEP is abolished from 5th April and the last dealing in PEPs is frantic. The company hires a helicopter to deliver last minute PEP applications to investment houses and this receives much publicity, including a clip in ITN’s News at Ten. £2.5million in applications and cheques is on the chopper.
September
The TQ Premier Club is launched, including the first seminar programme, which is warmly received around the country. ‘Members Lounge’ is launched on the website. With the PEP now extinct, all new execution-only business is to be handled under the TQ Direct Choice dealing service. Now employing 34 staff.
2000
February
Torquil Clark made a feature of FT website for people who wish to buy ISAs online.
March
Torquil Clark has the UK’s first facility to buy an ISA online and this is available with eight fund managers. For the first time, Torquil Clark is open until midnight on 5th April and the last deal for the tax year is placed at around 11.54pm.
September
Fund Supermarket is launched, enabling online applications in a multitude of funds. Torquil Clark sponsors Cannock Hockey Club - the UK’s premier hockey team - for the next three seasons.
2001
March
First TV adverts broadcast, plus a Classic FM Radio campaign.
April
The Investment Committee is founded.
May
Online life assurance quotes available for first time.
Jun
Visited by Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
2002
TQ Direct Choice develops its execution-only offering across a broad range of products and the website is developed further. TQ Private Clients continues to expand.
2003
Philippa Gee made Company Director. John Chapman is recruited as Finance Director.
Torquil Clark maintains its share of the ISA Discount Broking market sector despite the continued difficult investment market conditions.
The Torquil Clark Website is redesigned to give a fresher corporate image.
Philippa Gee, Investments Director, is invited to appear on national TV (Richard & Judy) to give comments on a topical personal finance issue.
2004
The Torquil Clark product range is broadened again with the launch of an online mortgage broking service that offers cash back.
Torquil Clark is invited to contribute regular articles to the personal finance section of local newspaper, The Shropshire Star.
November
Received the Gold Standard Award.
John Chapman is appointed as Managing Director and Don Clark steps back from day-to-day running of the company to become Chairman.
Torquil Clark acquires Birmingham-based employee benefits specialists company PS Employee Benefits Ltd.
2005
January
Torquil Clark joins forces with specialist life assurance broker Life Policies Direct.
