Investment Management

A wide range of services where you can choose your level of involvement in managing your investments. You can make all the investment decisions yourself and simply give us your instructions, you can access our expert advice for your portfolio or entrust the decisions to your dedicated investment managers.

As an independent investment manager, not tied to any funds, products or large institutions, we offer you transparency and flexibility to ensure that your objectives are met efficiently and successfully.

Investment management

Offering discretionary bespoke, discretionary model portfolios, advisory managed and advisory dealing services to our clients

Our investment management services

Walker Crips offers a wide range of services where you can choose your level of involvement in managing your investments. You can make all the investment decisions yourself and simply instruct us when you are ready to do so, you can access our expert advice before making your investment decisions, or you can entrust our investment team to make the investment decisions in accordance with your investment aims and risk appetite.

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Discretionary services

What is a discretionary service?
Through our discretionary service, we will manage your portfolio on your behalf, controlling the day-to-day decisions with expertise and care as we strive to achieve your investment aims. Our attention is focused on your objectives, taking account of your risk appetite and responding to changing events and market shifts as they occur. You do not have to make investment decisions on your portfolio because your investment manager will do it for you.

We are able to offer our discretionary services as either bespoke or model portfolios. When constructing your bespoke portfolio, we determine the best possible strategy that in our opinion can achieve your investment aims taking into consideration any preferences or restrictions you might have. Our model portfolios offer an efficient way to access a personal service where we match your financial objectives and tolerance for risk to our ready-to-invest offerings. Our investment managers have access to our own internal resources, as well as external market research and analysis.  The Walker Crips Investment Senate provides guidance to all investment managers and advisers, especially in the area of macroeconomic, market and sector risks, and the weekly Patricians meetings provide a forum for the communication and exchange of investment ideas.

Why use a discretionary service?
You wish to invest in financial instruments but you are a busy individual and you do not have sufficient time to monitor financial markets. Or, you wish to invest in financial instruments but you would rather entrust the management of your investments to an investment manager. You can view your portfolio via the Client Portal at any time, and we also produce quarterly Client Packs that report on the performance of your portfolio regularly. We review with you your aims and your risk tolerance annually or sooner if your circumstances change, making sure that our approach is still suitable to your requirements. You should notify your investment manager when there are material changes to your circumstances.

Our model portfolio service
The Walker Crips Model Portfolio Service consists of considered investments at reasonable price points, offering clients ready-to-invest portfolios combined with a personalised service. With the Model Portfolio Service, we take care of the day to day management of your portfolio; allowing you to focus on life’s other priorities.

Before placing you in a model portfolio, we work with you to identify your risk preference; taking into account your current financial position, your reasons for investing, and your financial goals. We provide model portfolio offerings for those with a low risk preference, low to medium risk preference, medium risk preference, medium to high risk preference, and high risk preference. We review the assets allocated to our ready-to-invest portfolios every quarter; rebalancing as necessary to ensure the portfolios remain relevant, and within the appropriate levels of risk.

Our ready-to-invest portfolios are comprised of all major asset classes (cash, fixed interest, property, UK and global equities), and include investment trusts managed by reputable firms. We carefully select assets from market landscapes to create complimentary clusters, resulting in well diversified portfolios.

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Advisory managed services

What is an advisory managed service?
Through our advisory managed service, we will monitor your portfolio and before making the decision to trade in financial instruments, your investment manager will consult you with recommendations, and you will make the final decision. You control your portfolio, but you also have an investment manager, helping you with your investment decisions.

Why use an advisory managed service?
You wish to have an investment professional to oversee your account, but you also wish to retain control over the account and you would prefer to make the final investment decisions yourself.

Advisory dealing services

What is an advisory dealing service?
In an advisory dealing service, we will provide you with advice on individual investments as and when you wish to receive it, but we do not actively monitor your portfolio. We consider the suitability of an investment in light of your investment objectives and risk preferences at the time of giving the advice. We do not actively and continually monitor the suitability of your portfolio as a whole, nor manage your overall risk exposure; the responsibility for which remains with you.

Why use an advisory dealing service?
You are familiar with investing in financial instruments and you will make all your own investment decisions. However, you also wish to have an investment manager to discuss your investment ideas and to have an investment manager to place your investment orders.

Inheritance Tax (IHT) Relief Portfolio

For those leaving behind inheritance, the forty percent tax* on all assets above the HMRC threshold can seem a burden. Our IHT Relief Portfolio has been designed for individuals with the concern that Inheritance Tax may negatively impact the future generations of their family.

The UK government has introduced many tax benefits to encourage investment. However the question at the forefront of investing for the purpose of Inheritance Tax mitigation remains, what if the tax rules change in the future?

  • Business Relief (BR) has been in legislation since 1976.
  • Individuals are able to claim 100% BR on certain qualifying AIM shares after being held for a minimum of two years.
  • At Walker Crips your investment manager will enable the use of BR by investing your capital into the shares of qualifying companies not yet listed on a main stock exchange. As there is no guarantee a company which qualifies today will remain BR-qualifying in the future, your investment manager will review your Inheritance Tax Relief portfolio on an ongoing basis to ensure that your investments qualify for relief.

Only by devoting the time to careful and consistent analysis can a profitable and suitable IHT portfolio be developed. At Walker Crips, the investment management team strongly believes that avoidance in overpaying for stock is the first and foremost step towards increasing the chances of long-term returns.

Next steps for you
If you would like to learn more about how we can help you invest in the potential of AIM listed companies, please call your contact at Walker Crips or contact the IHT Relief team on 01904 544 326 or [email protected].

IHT Relief Portfolio brochure
IHT Relief Portfolio factsheet

* Tax rates and legislation may change in the future. Your inheritance allowance and the value of any tax reliefs are subject to personal circumstances. Please seek independent tax advice before investing.

Senior Investment Management Team

Wesley joined the Walker Crips Group in 1997 and has over twenty-five years of investment experience. He is responsible for developing the business strategy of the Private Client Department at Walker Crips. Wesley is a Chartered Fellow of the Securities Institute and holds a Level 6 Certificate in Private Client Investment Advice and Management. Wesley also looks after client portfolios and specialises in bespoke and model portfolio investment management.

Chris is Head of Direct Equities and specialises in bespoke portfolio management. He manages portfolios on behalf of a wide array of client types including individuals, SIPPs, trusts and charities. Chris graduated in Economics from the University of Kent and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (FCSI). He holds the Securities Diploma and Investment Advice Certificate from the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, and the Investment Management Certificate from CFA UK.

Rachel joined Walker Crips in 2019. Rachel has a background of managing various portfolio offerings, including bespoke, model and an award winning AIM portfolio service. Rachel has an excellent grasp of both direct and collective propositions and is focussed on ensuring clients receive the best possible service. Rachel has attained the CISI Level 7 Chartered Wealth Manager Qualification and is a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

Shane works within the private client department managing portfolios for a range of clients. He has over twelve years of investment experience, previously managing a range of discretionary model portfolios as Head of Investment at an Independent Financial Advice firm. Shane first joined the industry having obtained a first-class honours degree in International Financial Services. He holds a range of industry qualifications, including the CISI Level 7 Chartered Wealth Manager qualification, and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. He was named a UK Top 30 Under 30 Wealth Manager by Citywire over multiple years and was listed in their UK Top 100 in 2023.

Stephanie has worked in financial services for over twenty years covering various roles and has been at Walker Crips since 2017, firstly working for Walker Crips Pensions before transferring to Walker Crips Investment Management. Stephanie has previously worked at Aviva, HSBC, Barclays and St James's Place. She has always had a keen interest in investment management and enjoys working with customers and third parties alike.

Investment Managers

Previously a professional musician, Peter has retrained since mid-2021 gaining a variety of qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment ranging from Wealth Management, Islamic Finance and the Level 4 Investment Advice Diploma (“IAD”). He is currently working to attain the Chartered Wealth Manager qualification. Peter has also serviced as Vice President of the Birmingham & West Midlands branch of the CISI. In this role, he was actively involved in organising networking and educational events for the Young Professionals Network and the broader financial professional community.

Jonathan has worked within the investment management sector for over 35 years, having started as a junior dealer on the Birmingham Stock Exchange trading floor. Now in his eighth year with Walker Crips Investment Management, Jonathan focuses upon clients seeking managed or advisory dealing portfolio services. Jonathan`s clients include charities, and Family Trusts in addition to private individuals, in which many have long standing relationships going back over many years.

Clive has spent all his career working in the investment management industry. He was instrumental in opening the Walker Crips office in Birmingham in 2013. Clive manages investment portfolios for a wide range of investors with whom he has built up long term relationships helping them meet their financial objectives. He was attracted to Walker Crips by its tradition of building and maintaining close client relationships combined with the use of modern technology.

Having started his career in 1986, just before “Big Bang” and the 1987 Stock Market Crash, John is a highly experienced broker. An ex-floor trader from the London Traded Options Market, as well as previously working for County Natwest, Natwest Stockbrokers, Durlacher and Charles Stanley, he now looks after a loyal client base encompassing high net worth private clients, corporates and charities. John constructs diversified client portfolios using individual equities, investment trusts and ETFs as well as using derivatives to enhance income.

Sally has over two decades of experience in financial services, having commenced her career in 2000. She began as a dealer before qualifying as an investment manager. Sally then spent seven years working as a private banker with Barclays Wealth. This diverse background has equipped her with valuable insights into the broader financial services landscape. Sally has a passion for managing bespoke portfolios and building lasting client relationships. She is a Chartered Wealth Manager and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (FCSI).

Edward joined Walker Crips in 2013 and has over 30 years’ experience in the Industry. He began his career in Liverpool before migrating to Inverness. For most of his career he has specialised in Discretionary Portfolio Management offering his services not only in Scotland but throughout the UK. Edward offers a highly personalised service to his clients.

Sue joined Walker Crips in April 2013. She began her career with a well known life company before taking time out to work in the Blood Transfusion Service and the education sector. Sue was then invited to return to financial services where she reestablished her roots. Although historically her background was in holistic wealth management, Sue now focuses solely on portfolio management, specialising in managing discretionary accounts for her clients. Sue offers a bespoke and personal service to her clients and her motto is “the clients come first”.

Simon specialises in bespoke portfolio management. He manages portfolios on behalf of a wide array of client types including individuals, trusts, charities and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). Simon takes care to ensure that the underlying investor goals and objectives are fully appreciated and is reflected in the style of portfolio constructed. He has been part of the Private Client team at Walker Crips since 2004, having initially passed his stockbroking exams in 1999. Simon is a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, holding the Chartered Fellow (FCSI) designation.

Chris has been working with a wide range of clients in the Yorkshire area and beyond for almost a decade, managing portfolios for individuals and their families, pensions, trusts, companies and charities. Chris also co-manages the Walker Crips IHT Portfolio Service. Chris is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (FCSI) and is qualified as a Chartered Wealth Manager, a designation awarded by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment to recognise senior members in the retail sector at the pinnacle of their profession.

Edward re-joined Walker Crips in 2018 after previously working as an intern in the Investment Management Department. He is a University of York graduate with a BA (Hons) in Politics and has successfully completed the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment Level 4 Investment Advice Diploma. He is a proponent of ‘Business Perspective Investing’, supports both the Model Portfolio Service and the Walker Crips IHT Service, and also assists with the management of discretionary and advisory client accounts.

Nigel joined Walker Crips in 1992 and became an Investment Director in 1996. He became a member of The Stock Exchange (now the CISI) in 1990. With nearly 40 years’ experience he holds the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (APFS) and Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments (FCSI) qualifications.

Simon joined Walker Crips in September 2013 for a one-year apprentice programme. Upon completion he moved to the Northampton office also spends time in the Birmingham office, where he works in the Investment Management team managing & maintaining client portfolios. Simon’s emphasis is on building long term relationships with his clients, providing them with a trusted source of advice and investment solutions to help achieve their financial goals. Simon is a Chartered Member of the CISI (Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment).

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