Our
robust investment advice process is the result of several years of
development, decades of combined experience and some Nobel prize
winning research.
More
recently we have introduced a further enhancement to this process in
the form of the Informed Choice Investment
Committee.
This
committee is run by joint managing director Martin Bamford who is
author of Brilliant Investment (WHSmith Business Book of the
Month, January 2008).
Unlike
many other IFA firms we do not believe that we add the most value by
simply picking the 'best' investment funds or 'star' fund
managers. Instead, we place a great deal of emphasis on asset
allocation.
Academic
research has proven that over 90% of the variance in performance
between different investment portfolios comes from asset allocation,
with the remaining variance coming from factors such as fund or
stock selection and marketing timing.
We
have a comprehensive six stage investment advice process:
1
- Objective setting - client seek our investment advice for a
variety of reasons, but these might include a desire for capital
growth, income or a combination of the two. We spend time
discovering your personal investment objectives and then ensure our
recommendations help you meet these goals.
2
- Risk profiling - the degree of risk you wish to take with your
money will fundamentally shape the types of investments we
recommend. We use a a detailed risk profiling questionnaire
and specialist software designed to uncover your real attitudes
towards investment risk, reward and volatility.
3
- Strategic asset allocation - our strategic asset allocation
models show the optimum level of investment in twelve asset class
and investment sectors. This becomes our base position with
each client and we use their original model to rebalance their
portfolio on an annual basis.
4
- Investment committee - this puts us in an incredibly strong
position to make tactical asset allocation decisions to exploit
short term market conditions and investment opportunities. Our
investment committee meets quarterly to debate and develop an
Informed Choice 'House View' on each asset class.
5
- Fund selection - whilst our focus is on asset allocation, we
never underestimate the importance of a robust fund selection
process. Our aim here is to recommend suitable investments for
each asset class. We use the extensive resources of several
independent fund rating agencies (including Citywire, Standard &
Poors and Old Broad Street) who conduct detailed
research.
6
- Review - an investment decision should never be a once only
event. We prefer an annual investment review with most
clients. This removes the temptation to react to short-term
market volatility but also creates a more cost effective
strategy. Each year we look at changes to the asset allocation
model that have been created by a good, bad or indifferent
performance within each asset class.
We
offer a free initial consultation to discuss your financial
objectives. After this first meeting we will draw up a detailed
proposal for the provision of advice, implementation and review
services.
To
arrange your free initial consultation simply call us today on 01483
274566 or email hello@icl-ifa.co.uk
to request a new
client welcome pack.
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