AN Aire Valley financial research company is taking on big-hitters in the City of London with the launch of two innovative investment fund rating services.

The new rating services from Silsden based Rayner Spencer Mills Research focus on multi asset fund ranges and socially responsible investment funds. The new services add to the firm’s list of rated funds which it says directly challenge London rivals such as Morningstar and FE Trustnet.

RSMR, headed by former Bradford & Bingley researchers, Ken Rayner, Caroline Spencer and Geoff Mills has become an established competitor for similar fund rating firms based in the City of London since its launch in 2004.

Geoff Mills, director, said: ‘Being based here in Yorkshire allows us to be outside of the ‘London bubble’ and focus on what our adviser clients really need. With the greater use of technology the location of an office is now secondary to having the right people, with the right skills and experience - and that’s what we have.’ RSMR has developed the new rating service for multi asset fund ranges looking at ‘families’ of funds with similar investment strategies and fund processes.

The service has been launched due to the popularity of multi-asset investments which make it more difficult for advisers to select the right option.

RSMR determines whether a fund range warrants its stamp of approval through examination of criteria including the fund management team, investment process, risk controls, resources and performance.

Its new socially responsible investments rating service has also been developed in response to the growing market in this area as investors increasingly look to invest responsibly.

The rating provides advisers with an independent view of an SRI fund’s investment strategy, management style and dominant SRI characteristics – such as a focus on environmental factors, sustainability and clean technology – to enable advisers to shortlist SRI funds more effectively.

Both services are supported by a guide providing background information and details of the research methodology together with fact sheets about how the funds are managed.