We seek a long-term partnership with you and your clients based on trust and openness
Guided by a client’s established professional advisers, we deliver investment management and trustee services to wealthy individuals, their families, trusts and charities. We do not have, nor do we seek, many clients. As the financial services industry is burdened by ever greater compliance and increased risk aversion, we offer a proactive, personal service by dedicating senior executives to a limited number of advisers and client families.
Our independence enables us to make decisions based solely in your client’s best interests. Owned by the Bentley family and company executives, Bentley Reid is free from the influence of any third parties, such as private equity investors or public markets.
Investment Management
As investors, our primary purpose is to preserve and grow the real (inflation-adjusted) value of your client’s capital. Although we invest in growth opportunities across global markets, when building portfolios we are conscious that limiting downside can be a key driver of long term returns.
Over the market cycle, we feel that it is the return, over and above inflation, that signals success. Whilst volatility and downside are valid measures of risk, we consider the possibility of permanent capital loss a more important yardstick.
We are active investors and we ask for the latitude to reflect our investment convictions in client portfolios. We do not manage against any particular asset class or index. As a result, we do not feel compelled to own an investment simply because it is an index constituent.
In an increasingly complex investment world, we focus on independent research and quantitative data, tuning out a lot of the industry noise. To complement the investment process, we retain an Independent Advisory Committee. Convened every month and populated by a variety of investment specialists, the gathering provides a valuable forum to challenge and refine the house views.
Many of the portfolios that we manage have restrictions or specific tax requirements. We have dedicated systems and procedures to ensure that guidelines are seamlessly incorporated into our management process. We invest for individuals, trusts, charities, pension funds and insurance bonds. We can also provide an outsourced Investment Office service to family offices.
It is our experience that good communication is vital when working alongside professional advisers. We are guided by you as to the frequency, format and content of portfolio reports. Senior investment executives are always available to review a portfolio or answer any investment questions. We seek to be the partner you are comfortable turning to on any investment matter.
SPEAK TO AN Adviser
TRUSTS & COMPANIES
Trusts can act as a focal point for family assets, simplifying administration whilst protecting and guiding wealth as it passes between generations. An opportunity to plan, protect and invest. With authorised and regulated trust companies in Malta and Hong Kong, Bentley Trust offers efficient, compliant administration of trust assets for wealthy individuals, their families and charities. We are experienced in trust, foundation and company formation and administer trusts that are written under a variety of proper laws, owning a diverse range of assets.
Working alongside a family’s trusted advisers, Bentley Trust ensures the on-going compliance of the entities it administers, managing affairs in light of evolving legislation and changing family circumstances. We are focused on delivering enduring family structures.
Our trust companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Bentley Reid Group, with independent boards and management teams. The trust companies do not suffer from the short-term profit pressure, excessive bureaucracy and high staff turnover that often plagues larger trust companies or those that are owned by banks and private equity interests.
Private Office Service
Where needs dictate, we can offer a range of private office facilities. Working alongside a client’s established advisers, we can draw upon our in-house expertise and an established network of trusted third parties to deliver a comprehensive set of solutions. Whether in support of an existing family office or the creation of a new one, we have experience delivering integrated, efficient outcomes.
As part of this service, we can help you and your client devise a suitable planning, governance and communication framework engaging other family members as necessary. As a second generation, family-controlled business we feel we have a depth of relevant experience when advising on matters of family succession and governance.
By their nature, a private office is personal and can cover a wide range of assets, services and interests. If you would like to explore how we might help you build or support an enduring client proposition, please do contact us.
OUTSOURCED INVESTMENT OFFICE
We can also provide an outsourced investment office. We have assisted advisers when creating an investment policy statement for their clients, agreeing and implementing a strategic asset allocation framework.
When formulating a suitable approach, we factor in the unique aspects of each situation. For example, investment office clients often have a dominant exposure, to a quoted or unquoted business, that needs to be offset or balanced by other mandate allocations.
As part of the investment office service we can provide written due diligence reports; market scenario and drawdown modelling; FX, asset and factor risk analysis; sector, geographic, market capitalisation and stock concentration reports and qualitative screening via regular face-to-face meetings with external managers.
We work with a clients’ existing global custodians or can suggest new arrangements, with tried and tested 3rd party banks. Where necessary, we can coordinate the transition to a chosen custody solution, minimising cost and market risk.
On an on-going basis, we can organise and participate in investment committee meetings, supplying detailed analysis to inform debate and the decision making forum.
Security of capital
The security of client assets is paramount. Client monies are always held in segregated accounts, with major global custodians, in the client’s name. Funds are never co-mingled and are not exposed to the creditworthiness of Bentley Reid. In all jurisdictions of operation, Bentley Reid entities are fully authorised and regulated by the relevant authorities including the HK SFC, the UK FCA and the Malta FSA. For additional detail please see the regulatory information page of this website.
As further comfort, Bentley Reid carries significant professional indemnity insurance, underwritten at Lloyds of London. In this way, we seek to offer the security of a much larger business with the service and flexibility of a focused boutique.
FEES
At the outset of our relationship, we agree a clear schedule of fees with you and your client. Being transparent, commercial and fair, we welcome open discussions to agree mutually acceptable fee levels.
For investment management we charge an ad valorem or percentage fee. The rate will reflect the portfolio value, the mandate complexity and your wider relationship with us. Should the Bentley Reid collective funds be relevant, please note that company executives are significant unit holders, investing alongside clients.
For private office and advice services, we charge time fees. Hourly rates vary with the nature of the work and the seniority of the executive involved. Where possible, we provide fee estimates before undertaking any material piece of work.
For trusts and companies, due to the diverse nature of client requirements, we seek to agree an annual fee that reflects the complexity of the proposed structure, the asset value and the anticipated levels of administrative work. We are happy to agree fixed annual fees, to provide predictable on-going costs.
For banking, custody and related transactions, fees are levied by our preferred global custodian banks. These are charged directly by the banks at preferential Bentley Reid rates.
Contact US
To discuss your specific situation, please fill in the contact form to speak with a wealth manager.