About
Our Story
Severus Capital is an investment advisory firm specialising in bespoke asset management solutions. We offer advisory and consulting services to enable investors to deliver proprietary investment capabilities across the capital structure, through funds and ETFs.
Founded in 2022, Severus Capital was established to meet the evolving needs of investment firms operating in a rapidly changing environment. Inspired by London’s heritage as a global financial hub, our name pays homage to Septimius Severus, the Roman emperor who established his seat of power in the City of London.
Severus offers a combination of deep financial services expertise across wealth and asset management with international reach, offering pragmatic and flexible investment-led capabilities that are purpose built and cost-effective.
Our Philosophy
At Severus Capital, we believe that strong investment ideas only succeed when matched with clear execution and commercial focus. That’s why we are:
Investment-led
advice rooted in portfolio and product expertise.
Commercially minded
strategies designed to deliver tangible outcomes.
Adaptable
a flexible model that works for start-ups and global incumbents alike.
Global in outlook
combining London’s heritage with international reach across EMEA and the US.
Our Expertise
Severus Capital brings 50+ years of in-house expertise across every stage of product design and execution.
Our core capabilities include ETF strategy and development, ETF model portfolio design, capital markets, portfolio management and fund research. We also provide cross-border distribution intelligence across EMEA and the US, giving clients confidence to expand into new markets.
Alongside this, we have deep experience in fund vehicle structuring, covering European UCITS, UK OEICs, U.S. 1933 & ’40 Act funds, and AIFs. This combination of skills allows us to align investment vision with the practical steps needed to deliver results.
Track Record
Our team has played a leading role in some of the most significant product innovations in global asset management, including:
Building the world’s largest active ETF franchise at JP Morgan
Pioneering joint-venture ETF innovations with Man GLG, PIMCO, and LGIM
Helping to launch Europe’s first Bitcoin ETF via an AIF
Supporting the development of BlackRock’s first LTAF and ELTIFs
Driving product development for BlackRock’s active ETF suite in EMEA
Contributing to the creation of the UK’s first CDC pension scheme, including private markets
Building and managing the Barclays Multi-Manager programme
The Team Behind Severus
John founded Severus Capital in 2022 after senior leadership roles at JP Morgan Asset Management. He co-led international ETF distribution -scaling the business from inception – after helping to build the UCITS ETF platform. His career includes roles at iShares (BGI/BlackRock), Source (Invesco), and DWS, where he worked across active, passive and alternative strategies.
John has been instrumental in bringing some of Europe’s most innovative ETFs to UK and European markets, including the first scalable active ETF strategies with PIMCO and Man GLG and is recognised for his expertise in product development, capital markets, and international distribution.
John’s achievements were recognised by the industry’s Financial News Top 40 under 40 rising stars in Asset Management in 2012.
Jim became a managing partner of Severus Capital in 2025, bringing more than 25 years of experience in multi-asset investing and product innovation.
At BlackRock, he served as Head of Systematic Solutions, leading the development of active ETFs with iShares, building mandates for the firm’s largest OCIO clients, and shaping solutions for wealth and model portfolios.
Before that, Jim held senior investment roles covering both portfolio management and asset allocation at BNP Paribas Investment Partners and Barclays Wealth, where he managed the £10bn multi-manager business. With a background that spans public and private markets, portfolio construction and distribution strategy, Jim brings a unique ability to connect investment insight with commercial execution.
Shape the Future of Your Investment Business
Whether you’re launching new products, expanding into new markets, or evolving your investment frameworks, we can help shape the future of your business.