Fuse Research Network to focus on high end of the consulting "value chain". Neil Bathon, who founded the financial-market research firm Financial Research Corporation (FRC) in 1987 and ran it until 2006, has launched a new consultancy called Fuse Research Network. The new firm helps asset managers devise effective distribution strategies that are tailored to specific channels including private-client intermediaries.

High touch

Fuse isn't in business primarily to sell research reports -- as are firms like the FRC and Cerulli Associates -- but to provide direct-access consulting that's rooted in the firm's proprietary market research.

"There are any number of providers who offer interesting data books and reports," says Bathon. "Our research is designed to fill a higher spot on the value scale by delivering tangible" guidance on which asset managers can take action.

Michael Evans, who worked with Bathon at the FRC and took over from him as president in 2006, has joined Fuse as it president with responsibility for managing the firm's day-to-day business.

Bathon sold the FRC to investment processor Bisys in June 2001 and stayed on for about five years. Citigroup bought Bisys fund- and alternatives-servicing businesses in 2007 taking the FRC along with them. -FWR

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