Background Environment
Traditionally, trustees used to regard their responsibilities as being almost exclusively the safeguarding of the assets of the trust. The Trustee Act 2000 raised the bar somewhat and it is clear that many trustees are unaware of their new responsibilities. Operating as a trustee in ignorance of one’s obligations is a risky strategy, particularly in the present economic environment.Under the Act, trustees have the specific responsibility to assess the suitability of trust investments and to keep these under review. In this task, they should consider investment spread and risk in the same way that other investors would do. Secondly, trustees are required to obtain proper advice when this is necessary or appropriate.
The point at which the balance between making investment returns and managing the investment risk is struck will depend on the trust deed and on the needs of the beneficiaries.
The principals set out in the Act have now been taken as the starting point for legislation in many international finial centres, such as Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and Mauritius. It is, therefore, vital for trustees to be familiar with the trust deed and their role and should take advice as required on the management of any assets owned by the trust. This can become particularly onerous where the trust has the ability to invest in a range of assets and it is feasible to do so, the investment portfolio should be kept under review.
Indian Ocean Asset Management can help trustees evaluate investment portfolio, manage underlying investments, and monitor on-going performance and meet their statutory standard of care.
Full Transparency
Often, trustees feel manipulated into investments, only being offered the minimal of information they really need. Indian Ocean Asset Management’s clients receive real-time access to their portfolios valuation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition to viewing their individual investments and implicit performance, they will gain an understanding of why each and every investment has been made on their behalf.Investment Reports When YOU Need Them
We appreciate that the demands placed on Trustees means that they cannot wait for a valuation, or regular report on the investments in a Trust. This is why we offer an “available any time“ reporting function, that within seconds will deliver electronically a full investment review outlining:-
All Investments, - Their valuation and performance,
- An asset allocation breakdown,
- All cash account statements
- All cash transactions
- All income and expenses
- Full trade narratives.
Investment Process
An overview of the Indian Ocean Asset Management investment process can be found by clicking here.Further Information
We welcome any questions you may have and are willing to forward any information you may need to help evaluate our services. Our experience managing Trust assets allows us to offer sensible and objective views.Our full contact details can be found by clicking here.