Wilsons adds advisors, names deputy research head

Wilsons Advisory has appointed three new advisers and promoted its healthcare research analyst to deputy head of research.

Melissa Benson joined the firm in 2020 after a career in academic and clinical research focused on drug development.

She became an equity partner in 2022.

Benson covers pharmaceuticals, early-stage biotech and health technology companies within a broader healthcare team that analyses medical device and healthcare services sectors.

Wilson's Advisory head of research, James Ferrier said Benson brings a strong commercial awareness and relentless attention to detail to the role.

"These attributes will enhance the leadership of research within the team and across the firm and contribute to great client outcomes.

"Over the past 3.5 years, Melissa has effectively transitioned this subject matter knowledge into high-quality equities research, building strong relationships with emerging healthcare company management and institutional investors."

Other recent additions include Byron Gordon, who joined as head of debt advisory within the corporate finance team, Jon Gidney as a senior adviser and Joe Zhang as a senior sales trader within the institutional sales team.

Gordon arrived from GCI (Global Credit Investments) where he was managing director of resources following a similar role at Investec.

Gidney landed from Citi, where he served as vice chairman of banking, capital markets & advisory.

Finally, Joe  Zhang worked in equity sales and trading at Credit Suisse before moving to Wilsons.

"As a staff-owned business with a strong balance sheet, we are always looking for opportunities to add talented and experienced capital markets executives regardless of the economic cycle," Ferrier added.