Trustee InvestmentComments Off
Since the introduction of The trustee Act 2000, trustees now have specific duties relating to the servicing and admin of trust funds. The responsibility applies to professional and lay trustees. However higher standards are expected from professional trustees.
A legal duty of care is applicable to the trustee investments that are contained within the trust. For existing and new trusts, the trustees must take into account the trusts objectives and the suitableness of the investment funds to be held.
Trustees have a responsibility to protect the value of the trust fund, whilst offering income for the beneficiaries. It is essential for trustees to take into account the suitability of the investment funds in the trust, funding, the type of trust arrangement and the demands of the beneficiaries.
A diversified portfolio of assets should be used to meet the trusts particular targets.
This approach can help to limit the risks within the trust investment funds by investing across various asset categories. It is important to take into account risk any unique demands of the trustees. This could also include vesting in an ethical or sociably responsible style.
Trustees have an administrative duty to survey the assets held within the trust on a regular basis. This can be a time-consuming and protracted process, particularly if the trust executives are not seasoned investors.
Trusts and Financial Advice
It is essential to seek independent and unprejudiced advice on the assets held inside any form of trust arrangement. We regularly advise existing and new trustees on suitable asset allocation investment strategies.
Trustees frequently engage the investor functions of a bank or stockbroker. Sometimes the service is not particular to the needs of the individual trust. A 1 size fits all philosophy may not take into account the specific needs of the trust. E.g., the prerequisites of a large educational trust should be totally different to a small family trust.
The costs to administrate the investments are an important element. The admin costs charged by stockbrokers and banks for trust investment funds advice can be high. This will have an effect on the investment returns the trust can accomplish.
Our investment funds process takes into account the charges, as this is a recognized component when we advocate unique investments.
If as trustees you are looking at vesting it is essential to remember that the value of the trust investment funds and the income generated might fall as well as rise. There is no guarantee you will get back more than you invested.
Consilium Asset Management are based in Chipping Sodburychipping Sodbury and offer a unique Trustee investment management service for individual and corporate trusts.