Entitled 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained’, this seminar was held at Downing LLP’s offices in Lower Thames Street, just a stone’s throw from London Bridge.

Clients and guests were welcomed by Downing staff plus Chris Berger and the rest of the Three Hills Wealth Management team.

The views from the 6th Floor offices created a stunning backdrop, including The Shard, HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge, to the convivial atmosphere prior to the start of the presentations. 

Chris got the ball rolling with a brief introduction. He then handed over to the first speaker of the evening - Alan Burnett, Managing Director Wholesale Sales and Relationship Management UK & Ireland, Manulife Asset Management (Europe) Ltd. Alan has over 25 years of industry experience having previously worked at Lyxor and Martin Currie before joining Manulife in 2016.

Alan spoke eloquently about the robust partnership between Manulife as a third party fund manager and the St. James's Place Investment Committee with an emphasis on looking at how this helps to deliver the right outcomes for our clients. 

He also explored the often, under-appreciated skill of portfolio construction, with a strong focus on risk management and consistency of process throughout the economic cycle being the keys to achieving the right outcomes. 

Chris then introduced Laurence Callcut of Downing LLP. He is a Partner in the business and Head of Sales. Laurence has over 30 years of experience in financial services, having previously worked in management, marketing and sales roles with major insurers. He is a Chartered Insurer and Member of the Securities & Investment Institute. He joined Downing in 2004.

Laurence discussed Downing’s tax-efficient products and provided an understanding of their deal flow, filtering process and due diligence process for their investment schemes. Laurence also provided information about their investment team and gave some examples behind their schemes.

It was a fascinating evening that helped to describe the benefits of being a client of Three Hills Wealth Management. The broad range of carefully selected funds and products available to clients was explored in some detail in relation to their choice and monitoring plus the execution, by those involved, of their respective investment decisions and processes.

Following the presentations, clients, guests and speakers had the chance to ask and answer questions whilst enjoying drinks and tasty nibbles. Downing’s hospitality meant that many were still enjoying themselves well into the evening and into the night!

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

Entitled 'Caring in Time', this seminar was held at the Euston offices of Time Investments. This early evening symposium commenced with an introduction from Chris Berger, followed by a presentation from Lisa Colley a fellow St. James's Place Adviser from Frost Wealth Management. Lisa has worked in the financial services since 1998. With a Long Term Care CF8 qualification and an in depth knowledge of this area. Lisa is a fully accredited member of The Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA), specialising in Long Term Care. 

Lisa's focus is as a Long Term Care and Equity Release specialist whose presentation addressed how to fund care for as long as possible; protect an estate and she then went on to provide solutions, plus insights into investment planning. Her presentation got to the heart of what sadly is becoming a more prevalent concern for many families. 

Chris then introduced Time Investments Senior Business Development Manager, Henny Dovland. She is an inheritance tax expert who joined Time in January 2014. Over the last ten years she has worked exclusively with financial advisers, wealth managers and private banks helping planners add value to their client bank and their professional connections. She spent nearly 6 years at Octopus Investments before joining Time and is a regular speaker at business events. 

The audience learned a great deal from each presenter and many enquiries followed for their services as their presentations exposed many of the issues facing families today who are preparing for, and dealing with, elderly relations and inheritance tax issues.

After the presentations, clients, guests and speakers had the chance to ask questions whilst enjoying drinks and canapes.

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief is generally dependent on individual circumstances. 

Equity Release is a lifetime mortgage or home reversion plan. To understand the features and risks associated with such products, please ask for a personalised illustration.

This client seminar was hosted at Howard Kennedy’s London Bridge offices overlooking the Thames, with spectacular views of St. Pauls, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast and the Walkie Talkie building.

To start the event, Chris introduced Guy Stephens, Technical Investment Director at Rowan Dartington, who delivered an engaging talk on the service provided by Rowan Dartingon to St. James's Place clients and their distinctive asset allocation process. 

Following on from Guy, clients were introduced to John Annetts and Nick Mendoza from Howard Kennedy who jointly presented a light-hearted but informative talk on helping to demystify the subject of trusts and the use of trusts as a mechanism for lifetime giving.

To finish, clients were treated to canapes and wine with the opportunity to discuss the presentation with fellow clients and presenters.

Entitled 'A Room with Two Views', this seminar was held in a stunning location - Foresight's offices in the Shard. Their boardroom offered our clients and guests some of the best views in London. 

The evening commenced with an introduction from Chris Berger, followed by a presentation from Jack Mann of Magellan Asset Management, who was visiting the UK at the time from their offices in Australia. Jack discussed how Magellan was selected by the St. James's Place Investment Committee to be the manager of their International Equity Fund portfolio positioning plus how technology is changing the world and the opportunities that this presents for growth investors. 

Chris then introduced Mike Currie of Foresight Group who joined Foresight in 2006. Mike talked about what was involved in working through both Allenbridge's and the St. James's Place Investment Committee's due diligence process; and how their Venture Capital Trusts and Business Relief are structured.

After the presentations, clients, guests and speakers had the chance to take in the spectacular views whilst enjoying drinks and canapes with the opportunity to ask questions. 

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.