Investment advisor Blaine Lourd has left AG Edwards to launch hisown investment consultancy Lourd Capital Management (LCM) in Beverly Hills.

The company says that it will provide "objective and expert"investment counsel on asset allocation, investment manager selection, andcoordination of client's strategic advisors.

Fidelity Investments will act as LCM's primary custodianand will provide LCM with institutional custody and other back office services.

"After 20 years in an investment advisory role under thestructure of a traditional brokerage house, I will continue to serve the bestinterest of my clients on a platform that provides greater objectivity,flexibility and transparency," Lourd said.

"Bybuilding a superior investment platform and leveraging the resources of LCM'sstrategic partnerships, LCM will deliver superior service to our clients."