Alternative Investments

Diversify your investment portfolio

Our team can offer you accurate, clear and up-to-date advice to determine whether these complex and ever-evolving investments are appropriate for your circumstances and investment criteria.

Our financial planners can advise you on a range of alternative investment vehicles such as Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) and Venture Capital Trusts (VCT). These exist to encourage investment in smaller trading companies that are in their infancy and operating in certain industry sectors.

Alternative investments can differ from more traditional investment vehicles, since they carry significant risk. This means that they are only suitable for clients with particular financial requirements and a greater risk appetite. Speak to a member of our team today to find out if alternative investments suit your needs.

Nationwide

With offices throughout the UK, we offer face-to-face services nationwide, giving you the opportunity to meet your planners in person to discuss your specific needs.

Award winning team

Our team of planners have been celebrated with accolades from awarding bodies such as FT Adviser, Citywire, Yorkshire Financial Awards and many more.

Our specialist alternative investment advice

Alternative investments are financial tools that can offer specific tax benefits such as Income Tax relief, Capital Gains Tax deferral or exemption or tax-free dividend income. These can act as supplements to your more traditional investments such as stocks, bonds and cash.

Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS)

An initiative funded by the UK government offering tax breaks to investors to buy new shares in qualifying small companies.

Venture Capital Trusts (VCT)

Managed by fund managers, VCTs are designed to encourage investment in a range of smaller, higher risk trading companies providing them with the funds to grow.

Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)

Another alternative investment vehicle offering tax efficient benefits for investment in early-stage UK startups.

Social Investment Tax Relief Scheme (SITR)

Investment in not-for-profit, charity or community interest company that may align with your personal values.

Please note

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate income tax planning, will writing or inheritance tax planning.

VCT, SEIS, SITR, EIS investments are in small unquoted companies and should be considered high risk. They are only suitable for UK resident taxpayers who can tolerate higher risk and have a time horizon greater than five years. Shares in VCTs are usually highly illiquid. VCTs may be higher risk and more difficult to realise than investing in other securities.

Historic investment performance is no guide to future performance and any investment may fail, causing you to lose the whole amount invested.

Tax rules, levels and regulations are subject to change and the availability of tax reliefs will depend upon individual circumstances.

VCT investment should only be undertaken by sophisticated investors who understand the underlying investment strategy and associated risks. For help in determining investment suitability, professional advice should be sought

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I have alternative investments in my portfolio?

Alternative investments can ensure your portfolio is diversified and have the potential to perform better than the overall equity market over certain periods.

What alternative investment scheme is right for me?

Our financial planners can determine whether these types of investment are appropriate for your circumstances.

What are the risk levels?

Alternative investments involve a high level of risk. Accordingly, they are only suitable for clients with particular financial requirements and a greater risk appetite.

How are my alternative investments managed?

Asset or fund managers are responsible for managing your alternative investments. Our team of financial planners work closely with our Asset Management team.

Do alternative investments have a high return?

Historically, alternative investments have been able to deliver high returns and income over traditional equity and fixed income investments. It’s important to have a balanced and well diversified portfolio.