Wealth & Finance International - Fund Awards 2016

Fund Awards 2016 22 Best Capital Growth Mixed Assets Fund (10 Years): Hurlingham Growth Fund & Best Discretionary Portfolio Investment Boutique 1st Port Asset Management is a branch of Raymond James Investment Services that specialises in working with private individuals as well as advisers. Paul Stevens, its principal, talks us through the firm and its approach to ensuring that clients receive the very highest quality service. Company: 1st Port Asset Management Name: Paul Stevens and Melissa Longley Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Website: www.1stportasset.com Address: 180 Piccadilly London W1J 9HF Phone: 020 7917 9555 1st Port Asset Management is run according to a traditional model, with a focus on ensuring that the clients’ interests are fully incorporated throughout the investment process. Paul outlines this approach in more detail and explores how it has helped the firm to differentiate itself, an approach which he believes is vital in such a competitive market. “At 1st Port Asset Management, we appreciate that there is a wide choice of investment management institutions available to private individuals which offer a greater or lesser degree of personalised service and flexibility. It can therefore be a challenge for investors to find a home where their specific interests are the main consideration. “Integrity and high levels of expertise are key pillars of our service. We demonstrate this traditional approach in every aspect of our professional dealings with our clients and their advisers. “Our core offering is discretionary portfolio management, but our advisory service is suitable for individuals who choose to have more involvement in the management of their investments. We can manage both onshore and offshore accounts and we have the capability to work within various tax structures.” As its name suggests, 1st Port Asset Management aims to be the go-to investment firm by collaborating with clients to ensure that it meets their needs. To achieve this, the firm works closely with its clients, who are predominantly individuals and their professional partners – typically ac- countants, solicitors and Independent Financial Advisers who specialise in wealth management. In addition to their discretionary and advisory service, Paul was also the manager of the Hurlingham Growth Fund to September of this year where he gained a AA CityWire rating and our 10 year award, and the fund maintained its top quartile performance over one, three and five years. Paul also provides Model Portfolio Services to IFAs with his colleague Melissa Longley. What truly sets the firm apart, according to Paul, is the experience that he and Melissa have gained over three decades and their dedication to client service. “We are a boutique investment house with two highly experienced investment managers, and we each have over 30 years’ investment in- dustry experience looking after private individuals. Our aim is to provide cost-effective, personalised, institutional quality investment services to private individuals. “A core part of our service is that we take time to ensure that our clients can be confident we are working in their best interests. We make sure they understand the sound rationale that sits behind our investment recommendations and the costs associated with our services.” Ultimately it is flexibility, in-depth research and an investment team with considerable experience that underpin the firm’s traditional operational style. The company’s cumulative asset management expertise enables it to examine investments and portfolio construction from both a traditional and holistic perspective. Paul provides more detail on the firm’s approach and how it goes about supplying clients with the investment services they need. “Our approach centres on truly understanding that each client has differ- ent requirements in terms of investments, risk profile, communication and care. We therefore aim to offer individuals seeking these traditional values a meticulous yet flexible approach to the management of their assets. “At a time when many investment houses have again focused on the use of standardised solutions to meet the needs of their clients, you will find that we do the opposite. We will always treat our client’s risk profiles and investment needs – and those of their trusts, charities, companies and pension funds – as unique. After carefully considering and discussing our client’s needs, we will construct and manage a portfolio to match the agreed risk profile and objectives, as we understand that no two clients are the same and that their needs and requirements are usually very different. “We believe that the key to successful investment is diversification across geographic regions, industry sectors, asset classes and asset managers. Our portfolio management services are specifically struc- tured to meet these strongly-held beliefs, and to serve those clients who share our view that diversification in their portfolios is prudent.” LA16002