Expanding adviser investment research and fund ratings group RSMR has hired former Janus Henderson executive James Senior to be its first head of marketing.

He will focus on the continued growth of Yorkshire-based firm which provides data, research and ratings to financial advisers.

RSMR has been running since 2004 and says more than 10,000 financial advisers now use its ratings, including its DFM ratings which are part of its DFM Academy. RSMR also runs a Managed Portfolio Service with risk-rated and socially responsible portfolios.

Mr Senior has 30 years’ marketing experience at UK financial businesses, including senior roles with fund management firms. He spent six years at Henderson and Janus Henderson and was previously head of marketing at Ignis. He has also worked for New Star, the London Stock Exchange and Mercury Asset Management.

RSMR director Geoff Mills said: “We are delighted to add James to our team. Both RSMR and our clients will benefit not only from his extensive experience and abilities as a marketer with leading fund managers, including digital marketing, but also his specific knowledge of the UK market.

Founding director Ken Rayner added: “As the challenges and needs in the advisory sector continue to evolve, and in some cases accelerated in 2020, adding James to the RSMR team at this time will bolster our ongoing efforts to be a valued partner and solutions provider to an expanding number of businesses.”

Mr Senior said: “I’m really excited to be joining join such an experienced and talented team. For many years I’ve seen the extremely high respect commanded by RSMR among advice businesses, fund groups, other market participants and commentators and I want to help drive RSMR’s market leadership.”

At RSMR, Mr Senior will work alongside Jon Lycett, business development manager for advisers, and Simon Forrester, business development manager for fund groups.