Cunningham Coates celebrate 175 years in Belfast – and look to the future – Business First Exclusive
Business First Online meets with Jonathan Cunningham, Managing Partner at Belfast-based Cunningham Coates as the firm celebrates its 175th Anniversary.
With 175 years of business experience at his fingertips, Jonathan Cunningham knows exactly how to account for Cunningham Coates’ success and longevity.
“It’s all to do with our culture and our ethos of partnership with our clients,” Jonathan explained when we met at a coffee shop in Belfast’s City Centre.
“The culture we have developed over the 175 year history of the firm is based on our commitment to putting our client first, our colleagues second and profit third. It’s a simple formula which ensures that we remain client focused and develop all of our policies and procedures around their requirements.”
Josias Cunningham
Formed in 1991, Cunningham Coates is the creation of an amalgamation of Belfast based stockbrokers Josias Cunningham & Co Limited and William F Coates & Co. Both these firms have a record of over 100 years of service to the Northern Ireland investing public. Cunninghams & Co Limited was founded by the first Josias Cunningham in 1843.
“The amalgamation was the fusion of experience and a mirrored culture of owner management which abhors short-termism and recognises the value of long-term vision – both in client investments and company development.
“We have striven to retain a balance between the benefits of our history and our vision for the future and as a result, are constantly finding new ways to serve our existing and potential clients, keeping their long-term investment plans to the fore.”
In 2002, Cunningham Coates joined with UK-based Smith and Williamson, a leading, independently owned, financial and professional services group, who has been looking after the financial affairs of individuals, families and businesses.
“We were pleased to represent Smith and Williamson in Belfast as they reflect very much the same culture and ethos as us – and have over 100 years of experience in doing so. With offices throughout the UK – many of which have expertise upon which we can draw for our clients – the affiliation is proving of great value for us all.
“As part of our partnership, we regularly commentate on market trends within the ‘Investment Outlook’ publications developed by our affiliated offices within Smith and Williamson. We understand the markets. By forecasting risk and building well-diversified, bespoke investment portfolios, we deliver a strategic approach to investment management. ”
No conversation around investment at the moment can ignore the two issues of Brexit and Stormont, but Jonathan is particularly sanguine about both from an investment point of view. - Read more from Jonathan on Business First Online