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Best Ideas Portfolios

Invest in the ideas shaping our world

The trends and companies that are going to change the world, can be spotted. Especially if you know where to look. The investment world of tomorrow will be dominated by companies involved in digitalisation, robotics and artificial intelligence.

Can you see the world changing around you?

When was the last time you used a camera? Pulled out an A-Z? Called someone on a landline? Went into a music shop? The rise of mobile technology is just one theme driving deep structural change in world markets. The Best Ideas portfolios tap in to these trends that are shaping our world, and invest to take maximum advantage of them. The implications of climate change will eventually transcend all industries and we integrate sustainability factors commonly referred to as ‘ESG’: environmental, social and governance.

We make investing easy

We build your investment plan around you. By getting to know you, we can create and manage a portfolio that you can be proud of. We care about you and your money.

We'll advise you on how and where to invest, and how much investment risk to take

We'll build and manage your portfolio on your behalf

You can choose from a range of investment approaches

You can log in anytime to check how your investments are doing

We think differently so we can take advantage of the things that others miss

Independent thinking

As an independent business we like to think differently. We’re nimble, and ideally positioned to take advantage of niche opportunities, smaller funds and newer fund managers.

We evaluate all major markets and invest your money where we see the right mix of risk vs. reward. It’s not easy to beat the market, so we don’t often find new gems. But we keep seeking them out.

A robust approach

We have a highly qualified team with the flexibility and expertise to consider all types of investment. We spend a lot of time analysing global markets with specialist tools, invest in the areas of the market where we see the strongest opportunities.

We are rigorous in selecting the best fund managers to exploit these opportunities & keep our ingredients broad, but carefully select and blend them to suit each portfolio.

Look under the bonnet

There are a number of long term, structural themes informing our research.

Artificial intelligence

Computer scientists have developed machine learning techniques that aim to mimic human cognitive functions. Vast quantities of data are used to train sophisticated software involved in language translation, route planning, chatbots… even self-driving cars.

Robotics

Robotics is rapidly changing many aspects of how we work and live. Robots frequently work alongside humans on manufacturing assembly lines but advances in technology, particularly in software, are making their application ever broader, such as in the operating theatre, agricultural field, building environmental control and in transportation.

Digitalisation

The digital transition started differently for everyone – LPs moved to CDs, VHS to DVD, newspapers to iPad. The shift from physical “media” to digital and now to online, on-demand “streaming” continues. Changing alongside our method and style of consumption are artist royalties and the marketing & advertising industries.

Healthcare

Mapping the human genome at the turn of the millennium accelerated the genomics revolution. Medicines can now more accurately target disease, therapies can be engineered to edit our DNA and technology is helping us to provide better treatments and detect illness at an earlier stage.

Future energy

Fighting climate change and the intensity of energy use is necessary to build a sustainable future. More efficient use of energy helps reduce overall demand and building renewables into the energy mix reduces our need for fossil fuels. However, renewables are intermittent, so energy supply still needs balancing. Utility scale battery technology could revolutionise this.

Fintech

A healthy financial sector is needed to nurture growth in all economies. The nature of money is also going through a slow transformation, becoming increasingly digitised. This provides an avenue for innovative in the sector, most visibly with blockchain based applications.

Core infrastructure

Essential links between our towns, cities and across countries come in many forms and with greater volumes of traffic comes more business. Whether it’s the operator of a communications network, the manufacturer providing replacements for aging pipes, there are a variety of niche businesses that benefit from global growth.

Demographics

As populations age, dependency ratios change and consumption patterns shift. A host of knock-on changes ensue, affecting demand, inflation, labour markets and supply chains.

Life's luxuries

As our standard of living improves and as our understanding of well-being changes, our choices for discretionary spending are transformed. Spending choices also differ by generation – technologies change, societal interests and values evolve, all leading to different patterns of consumption

A strong and proven track record

We believe that everyone can make a positive impact through their investments, and earn outstanding returns.

Why? Because investing in companies providing solutions to real problems makes sense.

Select risk grade

Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

The value of investments and the income derived from them may go down as well as up, so you could get back less than you originally invested.

Model portfolio performance is shown in sterling, net of underlying fund charges and an annual management fee of 0.59%, with all income reinvested. Actual client returns and the levels of fees will vary. Annual management fees will vary depending on assets under management and the level of service. We use the UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) to benchmark the performance of our portfolios; CPI measures changes in the price level of a weighted average market basket of consumer goods and services purchased by households. Data sources: EQ, Morningstar.

Looking for more information?

Factsheet

Best Ideas – Cautious

This portfolio maintains a bias towards lower volatility investments with equity holdings limited to 50%. It focuses on capital protection with a moderate participation in equity market growth, and aims to reduce investment risk by diversifying across regions and asset classes.

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Factsheet

Factsheet

Best Ideas – Cautious Plus

This portfolio maintains a bias towards lower volatility investments with equity holdings limited to 60%. It focuses on capital protection with a moderate participation in equity market growth, and aims to reduce investment risk by diversifying across regions and asset classes.

Download
Factsheet

Factsheet

Best Ideas – Balanced

This portfolio has a range of investments with different risks, where equity holdings are limited to 70%. It aims to reduce investment risk by diversifying across regions and asset classes, and achieve a balance of capital protection and participation in equity market growth.

Download
Factsheet

Factsheet

Best Ideas – Balanced Plus

This portfolio has a range of investments with different risks, where equity holdings are limited to 80%. It aims to reduce investment risk by diversifying across regions and asset classes, and achieve a balance of capital protection and participation in equity market growth.

Download
Factsheet

Factsheet

Best Ideas – Adventurous

This portfolio maintains a bias towards higher volatility investments, with up to 90% invested in equity funds. It aims to diversify risk by investing across regions, and enhance returns through its asset allocation strategy and fund selections.

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Factsheet

Factsheet

Best Ideas – Adventurous Plus

This portfolio maintains a bias towards higher volatility investments, with up to 95% invested in equity funds. It aims to diversify risk by investing across regions, and enhance returns through its asset allocation strategy and fund selections.

Download
Factsheet

Factsheet

Best Ideas – All Equity

This portfolio is designed for the most adventurous risk profile, with up to 100% invested in equity funds. It is unconstrained by selection criteria within the universe of available equity funds, and can make concentrated investments, use sector specific funds, and invest in any geographic region. As a high risk portfolio, its performance is expected to be volatile.

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Factsheet

Find the right portfolio for you

Future Leaders

Combines the growing preference for socially responsible portfolios with the increasing popularity of low-cost passive funds.

Positive Impact

Our flagship impact investing strategy, designed around the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Bespoke

Designed for clients who want a fully personalised investment portfolio offering a unique blend of strategies.