SERVICES

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE (IC) and MODEL PORTFOLIO CONSTRUCTION

  • Independent IC member
  • Independent audit of IC charter, processes and procedures
  • Investment research and analysis support for IC
Even though investment decision-making can be more of an art than science, we look to provide committees with a balance of nuanced views and experienced insight as we look to build and calibrate portfolios.
  • Committee charter and assumptions: The why and how
    • Vision, mission and value statements provide the committee with the underlying principles that govern all processes and decisions. Ill-discipline and poor outcomes are usually the result of forgetting to implement and review this important step
    • Portfolio construction assumptions and preferences also need to be developed and reviewed in order to ensure harmony and consistency over time. There are likely to be dozens of underlying concepts that influence portfolio decisions and working to articulate and document all of these can provide valuable insight and richer depth to committee discussions
  • Capital market expectations: The big picture
    • We provide investment committees with important tools and insight to help to make sense of the current environment and provide some clarity for the longer term prospects of business, industry and markets
    • We also help drive discussions away from the noise and towards ideas and expectations that may be lost in the plethora of information or masked by behavioural tendencies
  • Asset allocation: Budgeting risk with return
    • The strategic asset allocation should do much of the heavy lifting and should set the tone for most investment decisions. Getting this right is vital
    • Dynamic or tactical asset allocations are an important way in which to respond to a changing environment and market inefficiencies, and, if used well, can be a valuable tool in communicating a quality investment advice to the end client
  • Portfolio construction: Bringing it all together
    • We assist committees in understanding, coordinating and combining the various components that go into constructing optimal portfolios. This includes interpreting assumptions and preferences across the investment spectrum, and balancing robustness with simplicity
  • Manager research and selection: Partnering with trustworthy stewards
    • A mix of quiet achievers and wise visionaries can help share the fiduciary responsibilities of the investment committee. Understanding the mind and process of the fund manager, and finding those aligned with the needs of investors, are final, but valuable steps in building reliable and transparent portfolios
    • Using a mix of insights from the fund manager and research houses, we assist committees in the confident selection of managers across all mandates and sectors
  • Evaluation: Staying on track
    • We assist with the monitoring of performance and benchmarks. This information can highlight areas of weakness in the portfolio construction process and provide insight for continual improvement

RESEARCH and REPORTING

Effective and honest communication is a vital component of the investment advice process.

  • White-labelled posts and newsletters
    • Blog/social media posts
    • Monthly updates
    • Quarterly outlooks
  • Advisor insights
    • Investment committee highlights
    • Technical liaison
  • Industry best practice and thought-leadership
    • White papers
    • In-depth research