Why the partnership behind your portfolio matters more than you think!

Your portfolio matters. I’m Claire Markham, and it’s my job to care about it. As an independent financial planner, I work for you, with a local focus on Horncastle, and a global focus on your wealth. That doesn’t mean though that I don’t have carefully-chosen partners to help me do my job and help you grow your wealth. UK wealth management is complicated and I need to bring in certain expertise to maximise the growth potential of your portfolio.

I don’t always talk about them, but feel now’s a good time to start.

What Investment Partners Do

Investment partners handle the actual stock choices for your portfolio, working within the goals we’ve set together. My expertise is in financial planning and working out the best way to make your money work for you. Theirs is in leveraging the market to achieve your goals and supporting responsible investment so you can have the lifestyle you want in retirement.

In other words, we work together, and when you invest, Hymans Robertson, our investment partner, will go over the details and help you find the best investment strategy.

Who Is Hymans Robertson?

Hymans Robertson have been providing investment and retirement advice for 100 years. They work with some of the largest institutional investors in the UK, employing 1,400 people across four offices. This is a large operation with a diverse range of skills and expertise. In fact, they manage £350 billion of assets under influence – yet, at the same time, they’re ready to help with investment portfolio management in the UK for wealthy individuals, business directors and owners.

They are, like me, totally independent and focus on building trusted, quality partnerships. 2% of their profits are also invested into the Hymans Robertson Foundation, supporting disadvantaged young people and communities. They have strong values.

Why Hymans Robertson?

In addition to the above, I choose Hymans Robertson to work with because of their four core principles, principles I happen to agree with. They are:

Asset Allocation Drives Outcomes

Asset allocation is the very core of investment – the choice of where to put your money to not just maximize returns but match your goals and values. 90% of investment performance is driven by the right choices. Hymans Robertson’s robust, considered approach supports this. Whether you need a fast return for a major purchase, slow growth for retirement, or have very specific concerns about where you are willing to invest, Hymans Robertson will work with us to blend their expertise with your values and goals.

Asset allocation in investing is something we talk about a lot because it drives outcomes so heavily and because it is fairly easy to explain – the answer to “what is asset allocation in investing” starts with “which shares you buy” but expands into an overall strategy that directs your money where it will do the most good.

Diversification Manages Risk

I often go on about this, but it’s really true. The way to reduce your risk is to diversify your portfolio. But most people think of this as diversifying across sectors. The experts know that it goes beyond that, into asset classes and implementation strategies. They use index tracking and factor investing to reduce your risk. Index tracking, or tracker funds, use passive investing strategies to minimize costs. Factor investing moves beyond the index to track things like macroeconomic factors, size, value, and momentum to select the right investments. It aims to identify and reduce hidden risk. Doing this right requires an expertise Hymans Robertson has in abundance.

Responsible Investment Delivers Better Returns

It’s a myth that ESG and responsible investing costs you money. In fact, when it is done right, it is a core driver of long-term performance. Hymans Robertson will leverage your values not just to protect you from investments you consider unethical, but from the associated risks. On top of that, they have also worked to reduce their own carbon footprint and to invest in the community.

Responsible investing supports long-term sustainability and better returns. I firmly believe this, and choose partners that agree.

Value For Money is Non-Negotiable

Last, but not least, every decision is assessed against what it delivers. Hymans Robertson wants to give you the best return and the best value for the money you are putting in.

Their base goal is to ensure that every client gets the best value for money, by minimizing risk, investing responsibility, and leveraging their full expertise to support you.

What This Means For FH Manning Clients in Practice

Ultimately, partnering with Hymans Robertson helps me give my clients the best return, investments that match their goals and values, and minimal risk. But you can also expect regular, meaningful communication. Hymans Robertson doesn’t just keep us updated on your portfolio, but on the markets and the wider world. They place a high value on transparency and education, helping you see what your money is doing and not just what your returns are, but why you are seeing what you are seeing.

Your portfolio will be robust and affordable, based on their desire to provide the best value for money. I want my clients informed, and partnering with Hymans Robertson helps ensure that.

It’s only part of the overall plan, of course, but when you can trust Hymans Robertson with your investments, you can spend time thinking about the other parts of your plan, such as your estate and the lifestyle you want in retirement.

Hymans Robertson has also produced a series of videos that go deeper into their approach. These videos aren’t public, but I can get you the link if you contact me – I’m happy to make them available to all of my clients and prospective clients who want to understand how their assets will be handled.

As an independent financial advisor in Lincolnshire, I would love to talk to you about your investments, and your overall plan to grow your wealth, secure your retirement, and provide for your family. Contact me to get the videos and/or for a consultation to find out how I can help you with your financial goals.