What do you need to know about the DS Howell approach to investing?

Independent

We are independent, “whole of market” financial planners. That means we are not bound to a specific range of funds or restricted advice model which could have a detrimental impact on the result we achieve for you.

Bespoke

Our focus is on achieving the best possible outcome for our clients. For that reason, we offer a highly bespoke service.

Where we recommend investment solutions as part of your financial plan, our recommendations will be tailored to your specific circumstances, objectives, values, ethical concerns, long-term goals, desired time frame to see results, and, importantly, your appetite for investment risk. By getting to know you well at the start of the process and maintaining a close relationship with you over time, we can ensure your investment portfolio is closely aligned with your goals for your life and your money – and that it delivers in the ways that matter to you.

Low cost

As an independent firm, we have access to an extensive range of low-cost platforms and funds – meaning more money in your pocket.

Well-diversified

Diversification of sectors and stock is important because different investments change value at different times. By ensuring you are not “putting all your eggs in one basket”, we can prevent your investment assets from being too heavily weighted toward one company or sector, and protect your portfolio from losing the value it might if it only contained the one failing asset category. Although it is important to understand that past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, diversification is a core principle of investing that has historically been highly successful.

A long-term approach

We believe a long-term approach to investing provides the best chance of achieving investment success. That’s because longer measurement periods mean more time for your investments to perform well and less need to take larger risks for short-term results.

Sustainable options

Sustainable investing is an option that investors are increasingly choosing. It is no longer a niche investment style but a mainstream multi-trillion-dollar industry, with ESG assets expected to reach $53trn by 2025 – more than a third of the total global assets under management.

Sustainable investing allows you to invest in companies that strive to have a positive impact on the world. From tackling climate change to equal rights and animal welfare, we will work with you to ensure that the values you hold and the issues that really matter to you are reflected in your investments. And that, if you wish, you can use your portfolio to bring about a positive change in the world alongside helping you achieve your long-term financial goals.

Expertise

Our financial planners are highly experienced, fully qualified and regulated by the FCA. You can see our entry on the register here.

Straight forward

We don’t overcomplicate things. We’ll explain what you need to know simply without the jargon – because behind the jargon are often interesting and easily understood concepts.

What we help our clients achieve?

Our Planners can help you:

• Review your existing plans and ensure your investments remain aligned with your objectives
• Help you to build a financial planning strategy for a life event, or help to provide more general long-term growth potential on your savings
• Explore potential tax-efficient investment plans and savings vehicles
• Plan for a future income need. For example, supplementing income in retirement or paying for school/university fees
• Explore corporate investment solutions so you can decide on an appropriate accounting method for increased efficiency, and analyse suitable investment for surplus cash in your company account.

Please note: Investments and any income derived from them can go down as well as up. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns.

For more information on our approach to investing and how we can help you build and manage an investment strategy, get in touch with us. We would be very happy to answer your questions and get you started.