Tax Efficient

Ian gives us his view of the current landscape for tax efficient investments in the light of changes to the rules for qualifying companies and pension limits. We also talk about the importance of advisers getting to know the companies they invest with.

Caroline clarifies the role of FOS, the areas they examine when dealing with complaints and what advisers should do when they are contacted by FOS. We also cover complaints over alternative investments in particular and she reveals how many complaints are actually upheld by FOS.

Diana tells us what sorts of clients advisers should to place into VCTs and why the traditional client base is changing and diversifying as advisers use VCTs in a variety of situations. She also explains why advisers need to look beyond the title of a VCT into the underlying basket of investments and what risks advisers need to communicate to their clients.

Chris discusses what advisers should be looking for from VCT managers, the investment case for AIM listed smaller companies and why advisers have justifiably overlooked VCTs in the past – and why they should reconsider VCTs today.

Ian tells us why advisers should consider the VCT sector, including investment performance, yield and tax breaks. We also debate if recent pension changes have given a boost to VCT fund raising, and he reveals the stats and case studies that evidence how the VCT scheme has been a benefit to the UK economy.

Graham reveals what he thinks the three primary areas advisers should focus on when assessing VCTs, the unique aspects of the VCT structure and how advisers can overcome the challenge of understanding the whole of the VCT market.

Damian does a myth-busters on suitability reports and addresses some of advisers’ most common misconceptions. He reveals who the real bad guy is when advisers face complaints and tells us what is essential for a suitability report and what is superfluous, and then focuses in on the unique suitability considerations for VCTs.

Highlights of the VCT Masterclass at the offices of DWF in London where a sell-out audience of financial advisers and wealth managers heard presentations from Will Bateman representing DWF, Chris Moakes from PwC, Ian Sayers of The AIC, Eliot Kaye from PUMA, Graham Roberts from Triple Point, Chris Hutchinson from Unicorn, Diana French from Octopus, Tony Mudd of St.James’s Place and Damian Davies from The Timebank.

Eliot Kay tells us what advisers need to know about limited life VCTs and how they address some of the issues that disappointed early VCT investors. He gives us the lowdown on how debt and equity can be mixed to protect capital, the risks of a low yield portfolio and how they can be mitigated, and discusses what sort of clients advisers should consider for limited life VCTS.

Will talks about how VCT regulations help protect investors and advisers and reveals what advisers should be looking for when they review a VCT investment prospectus. He also tells us what VCT regulatory changes DWF think advisers should have on their radar.