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Strategy
Portfolio Construction
Investors looking for investment planning may come to us with an existing portfolio of assets or a cash lump sum. The assets may have arisen from, for example, a personal portfolio, pension fund or a trust fund. No matter where they have originated, through individual attention from our qualified advisers we will adapt and monitor your investments to meet your individual investment strategy, in line with your attitude to risk: at the same time maximising any relevant tax allowances.
Gower through its size of distribution and relationships built up over many years we have created the flexibility to offer a full discretionary service focusing on Absolute Returns as well as a more traditional multi-manager approach to the way our clients wealth is managed. So, whatever your circumstances and requirements are, as your independent financial advisory firm, we have the solution!
Changing Circumstances
Over many years changes in personal circumstances are bound to arise. Initially you may be looking for all-out capital growth. In later years, income from your investments may be an overriding priority. Alternatively, high liquidity may be a prerequisite in your portfolio planning. Through our regular review process we can ensure that your portfolio continues over the long term to have your investment objectives at the centre. Through regular reviews we will discuss any change in your personal circumstances and make sure your portfolio is still on track to meet the agreed objectives.
All our clients have access to up to date information on their portfolio via a secure login facility; the passwords and user names for which are usually issued one month after any investment service is provided.
Discretionary Service
Gower's board of Directors, back in early 2006, set about looking for a solution for our investment clients that would give access to more than the standard four asset classes. We focused on providing results driven solutions to our clients' requirements but not compromising in liquidity issues or wanting to accommodate multi-layered hidden costs now seemingly the norm in multi-manager portfolio solutions. After short listing a number of well respected investment houses we settled on what we believe will provide a risk targeted approach to our client's investment objectives, taking personal attitude towards risk requirements into consideration and delivering what we will refer to as:
The Absolute Return Portfolio (ARP)
INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Absolute Return Portfolio (ARP) has an absolute return philosophy. The fund managers do not seek to benchmark investment returns against an (potentially falling) index to judge the performance as this would only lead to a relative performance objective, whereby a portfolio might outperform its benchmark, yet still lose money in absolute terms as stock markets fall. Individual investments are always considered based on their potential to deliver absolute returns above cash deposit rates, as they view cash returns as our true benchmark. Such an emphasis on absolute returns compels the first priority, which is to preserve capital. Risk management, in the opinion of the fund managers, is a focus on not losing money, rather than a preoccupation with underperforming an arbitrary index.
INVESTMENT STYLE
The Absolute Return Portfolio looks to spread risk by selecting from the widest possible range of assets to achieve an optimal blend of investments for different market conditions. As well as traditional financial asset classes such as shares, bonds and cash, the portfolio can also include alternative asset classes, including absolute return funds, commodities and property funds.
INVESTMENT CASE
Diversification - The Absolute Return Portfolio strategy aims to hold investments which have a low correlation to each other, in order to reduce the volatility of the portfolio as a whole.
Downside Protection - Being able to hold investments which can profit when markets decline means that the Absolute Return Portfolio strategy may provide some protection in adverse market environments, which could compensate for losses in traditional investments.
Strict Capital Preservation Philosophy - Through dynamic asset allocation, and the active use of cash as an asset class, we see ourselves as 'risk managers' as much as 'return managers'.
High Income Yields - Dividends have been the bedrock of returns throughout history and provide a cushion against stock market gyrations.
Returns - When compared to broad equity or bond investments, absolute return strategies have proved remarkably consistent through different market environments - we target equity-like returns for bond-like risk.
The average annual return of this portfolio approach over the past three years is in excess of 10% per annum net of charges.
Reasons Why - An Introduction to Redmayne Bentley
- In 1875 John Redmayne bought a desk, a coal scuttle and a few other essentials to begin his own business dealing on the Leeds Stock Exchange. The success of the business around this time was due to the boom in the private railway companies.
- After surviving both world wars and 90 years of business Redmayne & Co merged with neighbouring Leeds firms 'F W Bentley & Co.' and 'J W Granger & Co.' in 1965, to form Redmayne-Bentley.
- In 1986 the branch network developed as a side effect of the 'Big Bang' reform of the stockbroking market. Many small stockbrokers were swallowed up by banks and conglomerates and a gap opened up in the market. We have tried to fill this gap by providing friendly, personal and local service throughout the country.
- As 'Your Friend on the Stock Exchange', Redmayne-Bentley's aim has always been to demystify the workings of the Stock Market and to make ourselves accessible to both new and experienced investors. As one of the UK's largest independent stockbrokers, Redmayne-Bentley has an extensive branch network of 30 offices throughout Scotland and England, offering a professional and personal service.
Awards
Shares Magazine
- Best Advisory Broker 2006
- Best Advisory Broker 2005
- Best Advisory Broker 2004
- Nominated for Best Self-Select ISA Provider 2004
- Nominated for Best Overseas Share-Dealing Service 2004
- Nominated for Best Execution-only Broker 2004
- Nominated for Best Discretionary Broker 2004
- Best Advisory Broker 2003
- Best Discretionary Broker 2002
- Nominated for UK Stockbroker of the Year 2001
- Nominated for Best Advisory Broker 2001
- Nominated for Best Stockbroker's Research 2001
Investors' Chronicle
- Best Execution-Only Broker 2006 for Customer Service
- Best Advisory Broker 2005 for Cost/Value
- Best Advisory/Discretionary Broker 2004
- Nominated for: Best Execution-Only Broker 2004
- Best Advisory/Discretionary Broker 2003
- Best Execution Only Stockbroker 2003
- Best Online Broker 2002
- Best Portfolio Manager 2001
- Best 'Dealing with Advice' 2000
- Best Innovation 1999
- Best 'Dealing Only' Broker 1999
- UK Stockbroker of the Year 1998
- Best Regional Stockbroker 1998
- Best 'Dealing with Advice' 1997
- 'Dealing with Advice' 1996 (joint winner)
- Runner-up 'Dealing with Advice' 1995
Your Wealth in Safe Hands
- Given that Redmayne Bentley's client assets are well beyond the limit of the FSA's Investors' Compensation scheme arrangements (currently £48,000), Redmayne Bentley have deemed it prudent to take out additional insurance cover, amounting to millions of pounds per individual claim.
- Redmayne Bentley's national branch network manages or advises on over a billion pounds of client assets, with over 30 offices housing over 156 FSA regulated investment advisers and managers.
As well as the expertise within Redmayne Bentley's team, you will also have the confidence in knowing Gower Financial Services are involved as part of the overall investment committee in relation to the ARP process
The Absolute Return Portfolio (ARP)
The above provides we believe a very exciting opportunity to get the very best in active investment management skills together in partnership with tax efficient structures designed to provide medium and long term solutions to the creation and protection of our clients' retirement and investment portfolios.
Comments, Jeff Barnett, Management Director of Gower Financial Services Limited
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