Investment Management

Our principal activity is the management of clients’ capital on either a discretionary or advisory basis and we invest that capital as if it were our own. Our clients are individuals, trusts, charities, companies and pension funds (usually SIPPs). All client capital is managed by qualified and experienced stockbrokers. While different categories of clients may require an alternative approach, it is true to say that, subject to specific mandates, our investment policy does not deviate. We do not, and never will, deploy algorithms or AI in place of human knowledge and experience.

In reality, the term ‘individuals’ can be a misnomer as many of our personal clients include multi-generational families. We have spent our entire careers advising private clients and it constitutes the core of our business.

We work closely with our clients’ other professional advisers and can provide year end tax packs, copy contract notes etc directly to clients’ accountants and solicitors, if required. Where appropriate, we will subscribe to Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and look to minimise both any capital gains and inheritance tax liabilities, if possible.

With trustees accepting personal liability on appointment of a trusteeship, professional investment management/administration is obviously advisable. Whilst our investment ethos is immediately apparent in all our trust portfolios, strategies do vary. Here, more so than other investment mandates, tax considerations may assume greater importance.

Professional charges associated with trusts can lead some settlors to think twice about gifting. Clear and concise administration is important to ensure efficient completion of trustees’ duties, tax returns etc. Our experienced team provide first-class documentation – unlike many organisations we do not use third party platforms.

Further reporting requirements now include the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and Legal Entity Identifiers (LEIs). In respect of FATCA and CRS, we report on behalf of trustees to HMRC each year detailing any applicable information relating to beneficiary distributions. For LEIs, we make both the initial application and the annual renewal, at cost. We act for non-UK residents or UK residents with foreign assets/income.

Changes in pension scheme legislation have increased the demand for personal pension plans and we manage portfolios for an increasing number of Personal Pensions (SIPPs). The majority of these will, ultimately, move into drawdown as their owners seek to secure a regular income but for others, they may offer potential inheritance tax advantages (tax treatment depends upon individual circumstances and may be subject to change).

We are particularly conscious of the requirements of charity trustees as set out in their statement of investment policy. Our charity clients appreciate that our investment approach is not formulaic.  Their trustees are well aware that over the longer term, our belief is that investing with too great an emphasis upon popular index benchmarks becomes a recipe for disappointing overall returns and as a result, is unlikely to meet their charitable objectives.