Johnston Carmichael Wealth has launched an exciting new partnership with City-based investment research and consultancy firm Square Mile, to provide additional insight on the funds market and secure the best possible financial outcomes for its clients.

The partnership has been established to help Johnston Carmichael Wealth clients invest their money through portfolios which aim to achieve specific investment objectives within appropriate risk parameters. Individuals will be assessed as part of an in-depth consultation process to determine their suitability for this new service.

Square Mile offers highly regarded independent research across the investment market with more than 20 investment professionals providing in-depth qualitative analysis of the funds market. This research forms the basis of tailored investment solutions to meet a wide range of desired risk/return outcomes.

Its team, recognised as being among the strongest and most knowledgeable in the UK retail investment market, is dedicated to helping advisers find the right funds for their clients. Only 10% of the 3,000 funds available in the UK pass through Square Mile’s rigorous research and selection process.

Craig Hendry, Managing Director of Johnston Carmichael Wealth and a chartered financial planner, said: 

“Square Mile is a specialist business which focuses on researching and monitoring the funds marketplace, as well as building bespoke investment solutions. Having on-going contact with fund managers is part of their day-to-day responsibilities, enabling them to have a level of insight that goes beyond mere numbers. Its team is able to consider not just whether a fund looks like good value but also how it is being managed, and how it will perform through market and economic cycles.

“We’ll be introducing Square Mile’s service during one-to-one consultations with our clients over the coming months. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to financial planning, so we don’t expect it to be suitable for everyone. However, we’re confident its extensive fund research process offers a distinctive edge in portfolio construction, which will be highly attractive to our client base.”

Johnston Carmichael Wealth’s highly experienced financial planners will continue to be responsible for all financial planning, working closely with clients to understand their objectives and develop a strategy that delivers their required financial outcomes.

Square Mile’s services will then be offered on an individual basis according to circumstances, investment goals and attitude to risk. If Square Mile is considered a suitable solution, Johnston Carmichael Wealth will direct their client’s investments into the most suitable portfolio designed to meet their objectives. Assets will remain on platforms recommended by Johnston Carmichael Wealth, however Square Mile will be empowered to make decisions about the investments in a client’s portfolio, enabling rapid response to the marketplace that will maximise opportunities and mitigate against risk.

Square Mile was recently ranked within the prestigious FT 1,000: Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies, a list of European businesses that have achieved the highest percentage revenue growth between 2016 and 2019.  

Richard Romer-Lee, Square Mile's Chief Executive Officer said, "The advice that firms like Johnston Carmichael Wealth provide their clients is invaluable in helping them to achieve their financial goals in life.

“A primary focus of our business is to provide advisers with robust investment solutions to closely meet their clients' needs, drawing on our in-depth, qualitative fund research. We are therefore very excited by this new partnership with Johnston Carmichael Wealth, which combines its outstanding financial planning expertise with our own independent investment research and portfolio construction, all aimed at securing a better financial future for their clients.”