Clear Cut Financial Planning were searching for a cost-effective DFM partner that could provide customised reporting and regular communication with the investment team to help them maintain effective communication with their clients.
By partnering with FE Investments (FEI), the team has been able to save at least 15 working days a year to focus on adding value for clients, thanks to a cost-targeted Tailored managed portfolio solution with custom built portfolios and bespoke reporting.
About Clear Cut Financial Planning:
- An award-winning firm of Chartered Financial Planners based in Cheshire
- 18 person team with 6 registered individuals
- £200m AUM*
- 300+ clients who largely tend to be approaching retirement
Why were Clear Cut looking for a new way to manage their investments?
Previously, Clear Cut managed their clients’ investments under an advisory model, building their own portfolios using FE Investments’ portfolios as a guide for asset allocation and adding more funds. This required client approval for rebalancing which was submitted manually - taking valuable time, delaying transactions and risking human error.
Therefore, the team at Clear Cut decided to outsource some of their investment management process to a DFM. However, they were keen to ensure they maintained a strong level of service for their clients. Control over transparent costs was very important, as they were concerned that introducing a DFM could drive up the charges to their clients. They also wanted to ensure a smooth transition for their clients by ensuring that they maintained clear communication with the investment team and control over the design of reports.
The solution at a glance
Cost-targeted portfolios
Transparently priced portfolios built and managed by FE Investments with Clear Cut’s input
Bespoke reporting
To cater to Clear Cut’s business and client needs
Access to FEI's standard portfolios
Complimenting their Tailored portfolios and enabling them to cater to different client types
Working with FE Investments
"We have great, transparent communication with FE Investments; regular investment meetings, updates before rebalances are executed, an easily accessible and helpful personal contact, and our clients can sign up for FE Investments’ weekly market commentary.
"Additionally, getting started with FE Investments was really straightforward and simple as they were helpful and efficient at setting up the portfolios on platform. Plus, our clients didn’t have to sign any forms.”
Charlotte Jamieson – Chartered Financial Planner, Clear Cut Financial Planning
Saving 15 working days a year
To sumarise, Clear Cut expect to save at least 15 working days a year on research, fund selection, manual rebalances, and gathering client approvals. This allows the team to focus on adding value for their clients in other areas such as: financial planning, IHT, pensions, and distinct decumulation and accumulation strategies. They have also been able to remove human error from their previously manual rebalancing process while continuing to deliver a strong investment proposition to their clients at good value.
FEI Tailored MPS
FE Investments Tailored Portfolios is a custom MPS for advisers which enables you to shape our core investment capabilities and expertise around your unique business objectives and client book. We handle the day-to-day investment management and administration, while you focus on building and maintaining strong client relationships.
If you’d like to find out more about how Tailored or how any of our other solutions can help your business, arrange a consultation with one of our expert team today.
Speak to us about Tailored MPS today
Important information:
This is a marketing communication, intended for financial advisers only. Not for use by retail investors. It is not intended as a recommendation to buy or sell any particular asset class, security or strategy. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back the amount originally invested
*as at October 2023