Giant UK-based global investment management company Invesco, which has more than $450 billion of assets under management, has decided to switch from London to Bermuda.

And as part of its "go west" move the financial heavyweight is also shifting its primary stock exchange listing to Wall Street, rather than the London Stock Exchange.

A court meeting followed by an extraordinary general meeting decided the matter.

Company boss Martin Flanagan said in a statement that the move to the New York Stock Exchange would increase Invesco's visibility and coverage and place it under a single primary regulator.

The benefits to be had from domiciling in Bermuda were not elaborated upon by Mr. Flanagan, who heads the company as president and chief executive officer.

Invesco operates under a number of famous brands, including AIM, Invesco Perpetual and Atlantic Trust. While it has branches in 20 countries, more than half of its business is within the US. It is also listed on the London, New York and Toronto stock exchanges.

Headquartered in London, the company has been using the London stock exchange as its primary listing, but has now decided to move west both in terms of its domicile and main exchange listing.

At the end of 2006 Invesco had a reported $462 billion of funds under management with revenue of $2.4 billion and 5,500 employees.

Founded in 1997, the company had a bumping spell financially in 2003 and 2004 due to weakness of international stock markets.

Making the announcement of the changes, Mr. Flanagan said: "We are gratified that Invesco's shareholders have overwhelmingly approved Board recommendations allowing the move of our primary stock listing to the New York Stock Exchange.

"A US listing will again place Invesco under the supervision of a single primary regulator while also increasing visibility and coverage of the company within a peer group of large, global investment management companies."

Following yesterday's shareholder approval, the High Court of Justice in London will hold final hearings on December 3. The final approval of these proposals by the High Court of Justice means that Invesco ordinary shares, American Depositary Shares and Canadian exchangeable shares will be replaced on December 4 with Invesco common shares.

Invesco expects to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on December 4.