Our investment practice
Our investment practice offers a private client service providing portfolios tailored to your needs. We aim to buy high quality investments that you can hold for the long term
Read MoreOver twenty years investment experience
The in-house investment management service is run by Robin Francis. He has extensive experience managing large institutional portfolios. In recent years Robin has chosen to work with private clients. He is passionate about applying the insights gained from working for large pension funds. This translates into portfolios that are largely composed of individual shares and bonds. The approach allows them to flexibly respond to your needs whilst keeping costs under control. Furthermore, it ensures that the portfolios are transparent and facilitates the analysis and management of risk.
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Services
We provide a bespoke portfolio management service where you rely on us to recommend the best investments for you
Growth Strategy
The aim is to make a minimum of 30% total return over three years
Growth strategies aim, not guarantee, to make a minimum of 30 percent total return (the sum of dividends and capital gains) over three years after fees and charges. The growth strategy invests mainly in shares and occasionally in out of favour bonds. Forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance
Pre-retirement strategy
The aim is to achieve a growing income combined with some capital gains, such that the overall value of the portfolio increases at a rate in excess of inflation.
The aim of the pre-retirement strategy is to achieve a growing income, combined with some capital gains, such that the overall value of the portfolio increases at a rate in excess of inflation. As with the income strategy, it employs a range of different investment approaches to achieve its aims, from corporate bonds, to out of favours bonds and dividend growth shares. Forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance
Income Strategy
Combining a growing income with modest capital gains
The objective with an income strategy is to combine a growing income with modest capital gains. The income strategy employs a range of different investment approaches to achieve its aims, from corporate inflation bonds, to out of favours bonds and preference shares.
Forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance
Defensive Strategy
A combination of corporate bonds, preference shares and property/infrastructure shares
The aim, not guarantee, is to achieve a total return of 4 to 5 percent per annum after all fees and charges on a rolling three-year basis. It uses a combination of corporate bonds, preference shares and property/infrastructure shares.
Financial markets tend to be dominated by one, or two, key events each week. For articles that inform, and expand upon, important issues please click on the link.
Read More -->Our Proposition
To work with you to select the best approach and solution for your investment needs. We offer:
- Highly experienced investment managers who have worked for large institutional pension funds and private clients
- Bespoke portfolios largely constructed using individual shares and bonds. This allows us to flexibly respond to your needs whilst keeping costs under control. Furthermore, it ensures that your portfolio is transparent and facilitates the analysis and management of portfolio risk
- Regular updates on the markets and when changes are recommended to your portfolio. Any questions are answered directly by the investment manager
- A personal approach with the emphasis on understanding what you are trying to achieve
Latest News & Events All News
MARKETS BECOMING MORE DISCERNING ON ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
03 Nov, 2026
03.11.2026 During the autumn markets have become more discerning about the return prospects for Artificial Intelligence (AI) capital expenditure. Below we analyse this in more detail and look at the implications for markets. One feature of the AI boom has been the rise of neocloud companies. These businesses are generally start-ups that borrow money
LOW KEY BUDGET DEFERS TOUGH DECISIONS UNTIL NEXT YEAR
29 Oct, 2026
29.10.2026 Chancellor Healey delivered a low-key budget with some cost-of-living support paid for with a few modest tax increases. The tough decisions have been deferred until next year’s spending round. This year’s budget was a low-key affair. The cut to VAT on domestic fuel bills was extended while there was a £100 give away to
WHAT ARE IMPLICATIONS OF AN AI PRICE WAR?
10 Sep, 2026
09.09.2026 A price war has broken out amongst Artificial Intelligence model providers. Below we look at the implications for the markets. Initially many companies were terrified at being left behind by developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Some companies incorporated AI into employee reviews while other companies had AI leader boards that rewarded maximum usage. However,
WHY HAVE BONDS SOLD OFF?
08 Sep, 2026
08.09.2026 Bonds, across the globe, have had a torrid summer. Below we look at the reasons for the sell-off and discuss whether they now offer value as investments. Bonds are financial investments that pay a fixed rate of interest for a number of years. When the investment comes to an end the original principal is
ARE UK BONDS STARTING TO LOOK ATTRACTIVE?
03 Jun, 2026
03.06.2026 Interest rates on UK 10 year bonds have surged to around 5% on worries about the inflationary impact of the Gulf war and concerns about an increase in borrowing under a new Labour Prime Minister. Concerns around the inflationary impact of the Gulf war centre on the fact that the oil price is over
BIG TECH STILL GROWING FAST BUT CAPEX PLANS A WORRY
01 May, 2026
01.05.2026 Big Tech results this week recorded annual revenue growth in the mid-teens. However, capex plans were again revised higher. Below we look at the outlook for the sector and markets more generally. Big tech results this week (Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon) recorded average annual revenue growth in the mid-teens. Encouragingly revenue growth from cloud