Charity investment management

We understand that each charity has their own values, missions and priorities. Therefore, we know that managing investments for charities requires diligent consideration and thought to build a personalised strategy. 

The Private Office works with trustees to develop an understanding of what these values, missions and priorities are, to help align them to your charity’s key investment objectives.

We work alongside charities who have a long-term time horizon, using forecasting to highlight how we can help preserve and grow capital; whilst maximising your positive impact on society by helping you to navigate environmental, social and governance issues, to help deliver returns that deliver on your mission and purpose. 

Can a Charity invest in the stock market?

Yes – UK charities are allowed to invest in the stock market, subject to certain regulations and guidelines. 

Trustees’ principal duty is to further their charity’s purposes. This means that as Trustees you must make investment decisions to further those purposes. It is up to the Trustees to decide how to invest to support delivery of their charity’s purposes over time.

Do charities need an investment policy?

The Charity Commission recommends that all charities should have an investment strategy in place before they start investing. This helps to demonstrate clear accountability in assessing if Trustees have fulfilled their duty of care with effective administration of the charity's financial assets. 

The policy should outline:

• Objectives
• Time horizon of investment
• Risk tolerance
• Asset allocation
• Portfolio constraints and restrictions
• Ethical considerations
• Performance & Reviews

Do Trustees’ need to take advice?

Yes – It is a legal requirement in the UK for Trustees to take advice, unless you have sufficient expertise and experience. 

How can The Private Office help?

Our experienced advisers provide charities, Trustees’ and their boards with financial, tax and compliance advice. 
We also help navigate the legislative rules and restraints around investments enacted by the Trustees Act 2000 which dictates the ways in which charities can look after or use charitable funds.

We can help by:

• Developing a financial plan – Set out clear objectives that are in accordance with your mission and values.  
• Investment policy – Define a clear structure which to abide by, specifically in relation to your investment needs.
• Investment Management – We provide access to a wide range of investment strategies to specifically help each charities’ unique situation.
• Annual Review – We continually monitor your plan and meet formally, once a year as a minimum. This allows us to periodically assess whether we are still on track to complete your objectives and/or understand if any changes need to be made.

Why choose us?

Several of our Partners and advisers are active within charitable organisations away from work which helps to provide our firm with an invaluable insight into the issues faced by charitable boards and trusts on a day-to-day basis.

We work with a number of charities, who each work in different sectors, bringing unique goals and missions that have to be considered when developing financial planning strategy. Whether your charity is large or small, old or new, we understand the complexities that come with setting out a simple and clear financial plan and investment policy.

Being a privately-owned independent financial advisory, we have the flexibility to explore the entire market, providing advice that is unbiased towards any product or provider.

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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate trust advice.