Independent Wealth Management Services
Helping you achieve your financial goals
Private Equity
Access to carefully selected private-market opportunities
Private equity can provide investors with access to companies and opportunities that are not available through public markets. It can form an important component of a suitably diversified portfolio, offering exposure to privately owned businesses, growth companies, management buyouts and other specialist investment opportunities. At the same time, private equity is a specialist and relatively illiquid asset class. Investments typically involve longer holding periods and may not be suitable for all investors. Capital can be committed for several years, with limited opportunities to realise an investment before an eventual exit. Our approach is therefore selective. We focus on identifying opportunities that we believe have a clearly defined investment rationale, appropriate management capability and a credible route to value creation and eventual exit.
Carefully selected opportunities
Private equity is a highly diverse and fragmented market encompassing a broad range of strategies, sectors and stages of company development.
Through our established strategic partners, we identify and assess selected private-market opportunities across specific sectors and investment themes. Rather than seeking to provide access to a large number of opportunities, our focus is on quality, suitability and the potential role of each investment within a client's wider portfolio.
Investment opportunities are originated and structured through our strategic partners, with appropriate due diligence undertaken before an opportunity is presented to clients.
This may include consideration of the underlying business, management team, market opportunity, financial position, competitive environment, proposed investment structure, valuation and potential exit routes.
Supporting businesses and creating value
Private equity investors may take an active role in the businesses in which they invest. Depending on the structure of an investment, this can involve working alongside management teams, providing strategic guidance, supporting growth initiatives, strengthening operational performance or assisting with acquisitions and other corporate activity.
The objective is generally to support the development and growth of the underlying business over the investment period, with value ultimately realised through an appropriate liquidity event.
Potential exit routes may include a sale of the business to another company or investor, a secondary transaction, a management buyout or, where appropriate, an initial public offering.
An investment manager will typically consider the potential exit strategy at the outset, although the timing and ultimate form of an exit will depend on market conditions and the performance and circumstances of the underlying business.
A long-term investment perspective
Unlike publicly traded investments, private equity generally does not offer the same level of day-to-day liquidity. Investors should therefore be prepared for their capital to remain committed for an extended period. The investment horizon is typically determined at the outset and reflects the time required for the underlying business or investment opportunity to develop and for value creation objectives to be pursued.
This longer-term perspective means that private equity should generally be considered within the context of an investor's overall wealth strategy, liquidity requirements and wider portfolio.
Risk and diversification
Private equity is generally considered a higher-risk asset class and can involve significant investment risk, including the potential loss of some or all of the capital invested. The value of private investments can be affected by economic conditions, business performance, financing arrangements, market valuations and the ability to achieve an appropriate exit. Private investments may also be less liquid and more difficult to value than publicly traded securities. For these reasons, private equity is generally most appropriate as part of a well-diversified portfolio for investors who understand the associated risks and can accommodate a longer investment horizon.
We consider the suitability of each opportunity in the context of the client's overall circumstances, existing portfolio and investment objectives.
Our approach
Our private equity offering is built around four key principles:
Selective access
We focus on a limited number of opportunities identified through established strategic partners and specialist investment networks.
Appropriate due diligence
Investment opportunities are subject to appropriate analysis and due diligence before being presented to clients.
Sector expertise
We focus on selected sectors and investment themes where our strategic partners have relevant experience and knowledge.
Long-term value creation
We seek opportunities where there is a clear investment rationale, credible potential for business development and a considered approach to eventual realisation.
An opportunity beyond traditional markets
For suitable clients, private equity can provide access to investment opportunities beyond traditional listed markets and may complement an existing portfolio of equities, fixed income and other assets.
Our role is to identify and assess selected opportunities through our strategic partners and provide clients with the information and perspective they need to determine whether an investment is appropriate for their individual circumstances.
Private equity is not suitable for every investor. We therefore take a considered approach to each opportunity, with particular attention to investment objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity requirements, investment horizon and the role the investment may play within the client's broader wealth strategy.
Access to carefully selected private-market opportunities through established strategic partners, supported by appropriate due diligence.