Many investment commentators believe that investment selection comes down to comparing past performance and expected returns. Whilst this part of the research process is important, it is, in our view, not the core criteria.

Developing a deep understanding of our clients’ needs and tolerance to short and long term volatility in their investments, is at the very heart of how we structure hand-built portfolios for clients.

Sometimes, some in our industry seem almost to 'bully' investors into taking stock market risk, arguing that in the long term the returns always end up arriving.

We prefer to take the view that it is your view that counts - not ours. For some clients, seeing declines in the value of money earned through blood, sweat and tears is unacceptable, whereas others happily accept turbulence as part of the process of investing.