Skip to main content
Alternative Investing Guide
Opportunities for experienced investors
In this guide:
- Understanding your investments - Find out the differences between Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs), Enterprise Investment Schemes (EISs), Business Relief (BR) and AIM Portfolios.
- Case studies – See how the different investment opportunities apply in example scenarios.
- Our ongoing service - If you are undertaking this type of planning, it is important that you work with a financial adviser who will continue to provide you with support once your investment has been made.
Please note: These investment opportunities are only suitable for people who are experienced investors and have the capacity to absorb losses without their standard of living being significantly affected.
Investment performance can go down as well as up. Investing in these types of businesses is not suitable for everyone due to the increased potential for you to lose your capital and the Financial Services Regulator, The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has strict rules in place which must be followed before we discuss this type of investment with you.
Provide your details below to receive your free guide.
From this guide:
Our Approach
Assessing your planning needs
Individuals who would potentially benefit from this type of planning are:
- High earners who are seeking strategies to reduce their income tax liabilities and may have a reduced ability to contribute to a pension plan due to the tapering of their pension allowances.
- Company directors who are planning to sell their business and seeking investment opportunities which qualify for Business Relief (BR) as an influx of cash from the business sale increases the value of their taxable estate.
- Individuals with large capital gains perhaps from a sale of a second property or other asset of significant value, wishing to defer payment of CGT.
- Individuals under an Enduring or Lasting Power of Attorney who are unable to make gifts to individuals or into Trust and who want to take steps to mitigate IHT on their estate.
Once we have identified a potential planning need we will:
- Assess your capacity to take risk
Cash flow planning is an integral part of our service and this enables us to identify individuals who have a surplus of wealth with which to meet their lifetime financial goals and have the potential to consider this type of planning. If capacity to take risk does not exist then this type of planning will not be right for you. - Assess your knowledge and experience of investing
Having experience of investing and the ability to understand and be comfortable with investment risk is an essential requirement before undertaking this kind of planning. As part of our assessment we will ask you to complete a risk profiling questionnaire which will not only help us assess your knowledge and experience of investing but also your emotional responses to both gains and losses.
Download the full guide to read more.
Related content
A thorough guide to help support you in preparation for your retirement and provide an insight into investment.
It's important to understand the implications of a Defined Benefit pension transfer.
The pension landscape has changed significantly in the last 20 years or so, as the way in which people work has changed.
Our clients speak for us
Meet our expert team
Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Template - People block - list (6.06)
Alex Shields
Partner - Chartered Financial Planner, FPFS
Alex looks to build up a detailed understanding of his clients’ situations which enables him to provide advice tailored to their circumstances. He believes that it’s crucial to communicate in a clear and straightforward manner to put his clients’ minds at ease.
Abby Ivison
Financial Adviser - Chartered Financial Planner, APFS
As a Chartered Financial Planner, Abby offers insight to guide clients with their financial needs. She is passionate about providing friendly, sound, and honest advice in a way that’s easy to understand so that her clients can feel empowered to achieve their financial goals.
Daniel Lea
Senior Financial Adviser - Chartered Financial Planner, APFS
Daniel helps clients with their financial needs and advises on various aspects of financial, investment, and retirement planning. He adopts a friendly, straightforward approach towards his work, aiming to empower his clients with informed decision-making.