Stock Brokers > The Share Centre
About The Share Centre
Gavin Oldham, who founded The Share Centre, was a partner in Wedd Durlacher, one of the two big stockjobbers in the old market. His firm, which had family connections dating back to Bone Oldham in 1884, was bought by Barclays Bank. There he teamed up with Peter Forster, director of business development at The Share Centre, who had been at Barclays for 25 years, and Jeremy Helliwell, now Operations Director at The Share Centre. The result was Barclayshare, or Barclays Stockbrokers as it is now known.
In 1990 Gavin left Barclays to set up The Share Centre, which started providing share services to the public in April 1991. Since then the company has grown consistently, offering its services through newspapers, major listed companies, retail stores and the large UK government privatisations. In 1993 it was chosen to offer low-cost share dealing services for corporate client companies of SG Warburg. In 1994 it ran the House of Fraser employee new issue service and in 1995 it provided National Grid with a dedicated flotation service for its staff.
In 1996 The Share Centre introduced one of the lowest ever minimum commission for share-buying: just £2.50 (see their charges page). Meanwhile, to prepare for fully automated dealing, it introduced a share settlement system based on CREST, the new share clearing organisation designed to replace the old Stock Exchange systems. 1997 was the year of de-mutualisation, and a change of Government.
The Share Centre originated "subscription-free" transfer into PEP for Building Society Shares, and played a leading role in offering share services for the new plc's, including the new Colonial Share service. Thomson Travel was the major event in '98, and The Share Centre handled over 300,000 registrations, 105,000 of whom applied for the issue.
In a major expansion of its share services for employees and shareholders of listed companies, The Share Centre acquired the Corporate PEP business of Bradford & Bingley in early '99, completing the transfer over the Easter weekend. It now administers over 167,000 Share Accounts, PEP's and ISA's with a combined value of approximately £750m.
In the fourth quarter of 2000 The Share Centre started to provide direct Internet Access for Account Customers. This major development proved extremely popular, as customers are able to review their valuations and place dealing instructions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In January 2001 Immediate Dealing was introduced to the web site, and now accounts for over 40% of all dealing instructions placed.
The Share Centre is a privately owned, independent group. Gavin Oldham remains the majority shareholder in the parent company, now called Share plc, accompanied by fellow staff and directors and a number of long-standing personal shareholders. However, shareownership in the newly-restructured company underwent a major change in 2000, with existing Account holders and new ISA customers being offered the opportunity to receive Free Shares in Share plc.
In addition, they have created our own 'Internal Market' known as 'ShareMark' to allow the trading in Share plc shares, accessible via www.sharemark.co.uk.
Share Account
Opening a Share Account with The Share Centre couldn't be easier. You don't have to deal straight away. An unused account costs nothing to open and nothing to close - so if you change your mind there's nothing to lose.
ISAs
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are a tax-free way of investing, designed to encourage savings and investment habit for everyone. They're the Government's alternative to PEPs and TESSAs for new subscriptions.
Their ISA allows you to invest directly in shares and the selection is yours. You will still avoid UK tax on all investments within your portfolio, so long as it stays fully invested - no UK dividend income tax and no UK capital gains tax. You can do so enjoying the same ease, flexibility and service that they give to all our Share Account customers, and if you're unsure of what to do at any stage, there's optional access to personal investment advice.
Benefits:
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Your own tax-free share portfolio
Low dealing and administration charges
24 hour, 7 day access to your portfolio online
Wide range of investments
The Shareholder magazine with your half-yearly valuations
Optional investment advice
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Visit http://www.share.com/
Stock Brokers > American Express Sharepeople
About American Express Sharepeople
American Express Sharepeople is one of the leading online brokers in the UK. American Express Sharepeople is the umbrella marketing name for Sharepeople Limited which became one of the American Express group companies following an acquisition in January 2001. The American Express group is one of the world’s leading card and travel service providers. American Express Sharepeople brings together the innovations and market expertise of the retail broking industry with one of the most respected and recognisable service brands in the world.
American Express Sharepeople will utilise the strengths of its parent brand along with the experience and knowledge of the Sharepeople team to continue to offer a broad range of investment services aimed at empowering and educating the private investor.
"American Express Sharepeople is committed to making our customers feel valued through the provision of exceptional service. Delivering such service can only be achieved if we have in place both the systems and the people to facilitate it. We strongly believe that we have both. A system, which takes on-line broking into a new dimension and people with years of knowledge and experience in their particular fields.
Our people are dedicated and motivated to meeting the high standards we expect from them. They are encouraged and supported to develop themselves personally and professionally at every opportunity. We do this through creating an environment where people work together, share ideas and continually improve. Everyone in the business has the opportunity to make a difference regardless of who they are or where they work."
Ivan Schouker, CEO American Express Sharepeople
Products and Services
Accounts
Sharepeople offers a Trading Account (with no annual fee) and Maxi and Mini ISA Accounts, all with access to international markets, and commissions from only £9.50! Sharepeople also offers a PEP Account giving you the opportunity to transfer existing PEPs into a single provider.
Markets
Sharepeople offers access to a wide range of UK, US, and European securities, via the LSE, NYSE, NASDAQ, AMEX, Jiway and Nasdaq Europe markets in a choice of settlement currencies including Sterling, US Dollars, Euros and other European currencies.
Trading
Sharepeople customers enjoy real-time prices on over 2000 LSE securities, the ability to place ‘fill or kill’ limit orders, trade in multiple currencies, receive e-mail and SMS alerts.
Funds
A wide range of unit trusts and OEICs investing in global markets, including our choice of funds identified in association with Standard & Poor's.
Access
Sharepeople customers have access to their accounts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via the Internet and Sharepeople VoiceTrader. Our friendly Customer Services Team are available during opening hours.
News and Analysis
Extensive portfolio management tools including Virtual Portfolios and measuring with RiskGrades, with access to Reuters news, Directors' Dealings and broker forecasts.
Education
Enjoy 4 helpful services at the Sharepeople Education Centre. Buy books through their Investment Bookshop, train online with their range of Investment Courses, check out the latest events on the Investment Calendar, and consult our comprehensive Investment Glossary.
Visit http://www.securesharepeople.com
