Trustee Investment Planning

Before making recommendations, we develop a detailed understanding of:

• the purpose of the trust;
• the terms of the trust deed;
• the identity and circumstances of the beneficiaries;
• expected payments of income or capital;
• the likely investment period;
• liquidity requirements;
• the trustees’ attitude to risk;
• the trust’s capacity to withstand losses; and
• relevant tax considerations.

We work with the trustees’ legal and tax advisers where their specialist input is required.

The investment strategy should reflect what the trust is intended to achieve rather than being based solely on the trustees’ personal investment preferences.

Our advice may include:

• establishing the trust’s investment objectives;
• assessing risk and capacity for loss;
• determining income and liquidity requirements;
• agreeing an appropriate asset allocation;
• selecting suitable investment arrangements;
• considering active, passive and responsible investment approaches;
• reviewing the tax treatment of different investment structures; and
• documenting the agreed strategy in an Investment Policy Statement.

The resulting portfolio may be managed on an advisory or discretionary basis, depending on the trust’s needs and the service selected.

For an established trust, we can review the existing investments and provide an independent assessment.

This may include:

• performance against the trust’s objectives;
• the level and nature of investment risk;
• diversification;
• income and liquidity;
• investment charges;
• the suitability of the tax structure; and
• whether the existing arrangements remain appropriate for the beneficiaries.

We report our findings to the trustees and explain any action we believe should be considered.

Trusts and beneficiaries can exist for many years, during which their circumstances and needs may change.

Our ongoing trustee review service can include:

• reporting on investment performance;
• reviewing the needs of beneficiaries;
• monitoring withdrawals and liquidity;
• considering changes to the trust’s objectives or time horizon;
• reviewing the investment strategy and risk profile; and
• recording any agreed changes.

This provides a regular framework within which trustees can review the investments and document their decisions.

Our advice is fee-based and agreed in advance. Wingate’s team includes Chartered Financial Planners and affiliate members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

We provide investment and financial planning advice. Trustees should obtain separate legal and tax advice where required.