Trustee Investments
Since the introduction of The trustee Act 2000, trustees now have particular duties concerning the serving and administration of trust funds. The duty of care applies to professional and lay trustees. Still higher standards are expected from professional trustees.
A legal duty of care applies to the trustee investments that are contained within the trust. For existing and new trusts, the trustees must take into consideration the trusts objectives and the suitability of the investments to be held.
Trustees have an obligation to protect the value of the trust fund, whilst offering income for the beneficiaries. It is fundamental for trustees to take into account the suitableness of the investments held, funding, the type of trust arrangement and the demands of the beneficiaries.
A diversified portfolio of assets should be used to meet the trusts specific aims.
This type of approach can help to limit the volatility within the trust investment by putting across several asset classes. It is critical to take into account risk any special demands of the trustees. This could also include investing in an ethical or sociably responsible style.
Trustees have an administrative obligation to re-examine the assets contained within the trust on a regular basis. This can be a drawn-out and lengthy process, specially if the trust decision makers are not knowledgeable investors.
Trusts and Independent Financial Advice.
It is essential to seek independent and impartial advice on the assets held inside any form of trust arrangement. We regularly advise existing and new trustees on acceptable asset allocation investment strategies.
Trustees frequently engage the investor functions of a bank or stock-broker. Occasionally the service is not particular to the needs of the individual trust. A 1 size fits all approach may not take into account the individual needs of the trust. E.g., the requirements of a large educational trust might be different to a small family trust.
The costs to administer the investments are an important factor. The admin costs charged by stockbrokers and banks for trust investment funds advice can be high. This might impact on the returns the trust can accomplish.
Our investment process takes into account the charges, as this is a recognized component when we recommend specific investments.
If as trustees you are thinking about investing it is fundamental to remember that the value of the trust investment funds and the income given could rise as well as fall. There is no guarantee you will get back more than you vested.
Consilium Asset Management are based in Chipping Sodburychipping Sodbury and offer a unique Trustee investment management service for individual and corporate trusts.