Tell us about how you became an investment manager?
When I joined Bowmore I was given a great opportunity to be an integral part of a rapidly growing wealth management business. Within that role I worked closely with our Chief Investment Officer, took industry-recognised exams and gained valuable experience to move into an Investment Manager role over a number of years.
What is your investment philosophy?
My investment philosophy centres around understanding risk and individual clients’ needs. There is no one size fits all. I’m also a great believer in keeping it simple. Building a portfolio does not need to be overly complex to be effective. Individuals will judge us on excellent service and solid performance, not how clever we try to be.
What is your investment selection process?
We consider prospective investments based on several factors including performance track record, risk, cost, liquidity profile, the team running the strategy and their process, among others. To obtain a shortlist we use these parameters to shrink the entire investment universe down to our ‘best in class’, which then allows us to allocate accordingly based on both quantitative and the qualitative assessment.
What is your view on ethical investing?
Ethical investing has boomed in recent times and I’m in no doubt it will continue to do so. Assets under management for our own ethical mandate have grown considerably as more and more investors are considering their options in this space. Personally, I take a flexible approach. ‘Ethical’ can mean different things to different people, but if sensible asset allocation can be married with an ethically biased approach, the outdated thought that ethical investing translates into lower returns can be challenged.
What keeps your role interesting?
The macro-economic and investment environment is an ever-changing beast. Although we invest with a long-term view, what was true of last year may not hold this year or next. Whilst this can be challenging at times, not least of all this year, there are always opportunities to identify along the way. Also, the people you meet, both clients and industry professionals, carry a wealth of knowledge and experience. It’s a cliché, but there’s something new to learn every day.
