Services
Specialist investment management for Trustees & Charities
Access specialist investment advice and fiduciary guidance tailored to help trustees and charities meet their legal obligations while aligning financial strategies with their core mission.
Fulfilling your fiduciary duties with prudent, professional investment advice
As a trustee or charity board member, you carry the significant responsibility of managing assets on behalf of others. This requires more than just investment knowledge; it demands a deep understanding of your legal duties, a commitment to good governance, and a strategy that aligns with your organisation's unique purpose. At Armstrong Watson, our specialist advisors provide the expert guidance you need to navigate this complex landscape with confidence.
Request your complimentary policy consultation
We understand that for trustees and charities, investment management is a matter of profound responsibility. Our service is built on a foundation of fiduciary partnership. We work alongside you to ensure your investment strategy is not only effective but also fully compliant, prudent, and demonstrably in the best interests of your beneficiaries.
Dedicated solutions for Trustees and Charities
We recognise the distinct challenges each group faces and provide tailored advice to meet your specific obligations.
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Get in touch with one of our experts
Contact the teamFor Trustees: Upholding your legal duties
Your role is defined by a legal duty of care. We provide the professional support you need to meet these obligations confidently. Our advice is structured to help you:
We help you:
Adhere to the Trustee Act 2000: We ensure your investment decisions satisfy the 'standard investment criteria', focusing on suitability and proper diversification.
Exercise your duty of care: We provide the documented, professional advice necessary to demonstrate that you have acted with the required skill and care.
Balance beneficiary interests: We help you construct a portfolio that acts impartially, balancing the needs of different beneficiaries, such as those requiring income versus those for whom capital growth is the priority.
For Charities: Aligning investments with your mission
Your investments should be a powerful tool to further your charitable objectives. We work with you to build a strategy that delivers both financial returns and mission alignment.
We help you:
Develop a robust Investment Policy Statement (IPS): We guide you in creating a comprehensive IPS that satisfies Charity Commission guidance (CC14), defining your objectives, risk appetite, and ethical considerations.
Implement ethical and ESG investing: We can structure your portfolio to reflect your organisation's values, applying negative screening to avoid conflicts or positive screening to support impactful sectors.
Balance growth and liquidity: We design portfolios that aim for sustainable long-term growth while ensuring you have the necessary liquidity to fund your charitable activities.
Our disciplined investment process
Our process is designed to provide clarity, transparency, and robust governance at every stage.
Step 1: Discovery & policy development: We begin by understanding your trust or charity's unique objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance to help you establish a formal Investment Policy Statement.
Step 2: Strategic portfolio construction: Based on the agreed policy, we construct a suitably diversified, tax-efficient portfolio designed to meet your specific return and income objectives.
Step 3: Implementation & ongoing governance: We implement the strategy and provide continuous monitoring, detailed reporting, and regular reviews to ensure the portfolio remains on track and that you can clearly demonstrate prudent management.
Frequently asked questions
Find expert answers to your questions on trustee investment duties, charity governance, and how to align your investment policy with your legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
Under the Trustee Act 2000, trustees have a duty of care to invest as an ordinary prudent person would for someone they were morally bound to provide for. They must have regard to the 'standard investment criteria', which are the suitability of the investments and the need for diversification.
An IPS is a formal document that outlines the goals, strategies, and restrictions for a charity's investment portfolio. The Charity Commission's guidance (CC14) makes it clear that charities should have a written policy in place to ensure good governance and effective decision-making.
Yes. We can help you define your ethical criteria within your IPS and construct a portfolio that reflects your values, whether through excluding certain industries (negative screening) or actively seeking out investments that create a positive impact (positive/impact screening).
Arrange a complimentary consultation to discuss your responsibilities
Take the first step towards ensuring your investment strategy is robust, compliant, and effectiveOur complimentary, no-obligation consultation provides an opportunity for your board or committee to:
- Discuss your specific duties and objectives with a qualified specialist.
- Review the key components of a compliant Investment Policy Statement.
- Gain clarity on how professional advice can support your governance and decision-making.
Get in touch
Get in touch to speak to one of our specialist advisers and explore how we can help you.
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