Since the introduction of The trustee Act 2000, trustees now have particular obligations concerning the serving and administration of trust funds. The responsibility applies to professional and lay trustees. Yet higher standards are expected from professional trustees.
A statutory duty of care is applicable to the trustee investment funds that are held. For new or existing trusts, the trustees must take into consideration the trusts objectives and the suitability of the investments to be held.
Trustees have a responsibility to protect the asset value of the trust fund, whilst offering income for the beneficiaries. It is essential for trustees to consider the suitableness of the investment funds in the trust, funding, the type of trust in place and the demands of the beneficiaries.
A diversified portfolio of assets should be used to meet the trusts special aims.
This type of approach can help to limit the volatility within the trust investment funds by placing across various asset classes. It is important to take into account risk any particular prerequisites of the trustees. This could also include placing investments in an ethical or sociably responsible way.
Trustees have an administrative duty to re-examine the assets contained within the trust on a regular basis. This can be an endless and protracted process, specially if the trust administrators are not knowledgeable investors.
Trusts and Independent Financial Advice.
It is essential to seek independent and impartial advice on the assets held within any form of trust agreement. We regularly advise existing and new trustees on suitable asset allocation investment strategies.
Trustees often engage the investor functions of a bank or stockbroker. Sometimes the service is not particular to the demands of the individual trust. A 1 size fits all approach may not take into consideration the personal needs of the trust. E.g., the requirements of a large educational trust might be different to a small family trust.
The costs to administrate the investment funds are an important element. The admin fees charged by banks and stockbrokers for trust investment funds management can be expensive. This can have an affect on the investment returns the trust can achieve.
Our investment process takes into account the costs, as this is a well-known component when we recommend particular investment funds.
If as trustees you are thinking about vesting it is essential to remember that the value of the trust investment and the income generated could rise as well as fall. There is no guarantee you will get back more than you invested.
Consilium Asset Management are based in Chipping Sodburychipping Sodbury and offer a unique Trustee investment management service for individual and corporate trusts.