US/UK- London-based style analytics firm Style Research (SR) has set up operations in the US to develop the North American market. “We have a number of clients already in the US and Canada and a number of business partners, with whom we want to develop additional services,” says Robert Schwob, head of SR in London.

“Establishing our new offices in Boston will enable us to broaden the support we give to current clients and the development of joint products.” The US subsidiary Style Research Inc, will be run by managing director Bernie Nelson, who joined SR in the UK nearly a year ago from Scottish Widows, and who has moved to Boston.

SR has grown rapidly over the past five years since its launch. “We now have 75 clients in 16 countries, and we see the development of the North American market as part of our strategic move to broaden our international coverage.”

In the US, the company will concentrate on distributing and supporting its current range of products, with a view to developing in a few years a variety of new products and services, says Schwob.

He adds: “We have a range of internationally appropriate applications of style techniques and analysis. Both composition and return-based analysis can be broadened by including a number of factors appropriate in global markets. These are also applicable in the US and Canada and we want to obtain exposure for these in the markets there.”

SR sees opportunities for its approach among the asset management community, plan sponsors and funds of funds groups.