7 Investment Management

Who we are

The `7' in 7IM refers to the seven original founders of the business. Back in 2002, they couldn't find a firm they trusted to manage their families' money properly - big banks seemed impersonal and greedy, while most boutiques lacked the necessary investment process and structure. They started the kind of organisation they'd like to invest with themselves.

Their aim was to deliver steady returns over the long term, while keeping an eye on risk, using the best technology. They wanted everyone to have access to the kind of service and expertise that institutional investors would expect.

We've evolved since then. In 2015 Caledonia Investments joined us as a major shareholder. In 2018 we acquired Tcam Asset Management, a firm we felt closely aligned with our investment philosophies and multi-asset approach. In 2020 we continued our long-term growth strategy and acquired the award-winning London based financial planning firm Partners Wealth Management (PWM). PWM will continue to operate as an independent company, retaining its brand, identity and leadership.

Our team, our clients and our funds under management have grown steadily over the years. From our offices in London, Edinburgh and Jersey, more than 400 talented people manage over £17 billion for a range of clients, including individuals and families, financial advisers, corporates, charities and trustees, all across the UK and Channel Islands.

We still follow our founders' philosophy and aim to get the simple things right all wrapped up with real, honest, human service - that's what sets us apart from everyone else.

What we do

Our guiding investment principles:

1. As investors we take a long-term approach, based around a proprietary cutting-edge strategic asset allocation.

2. Markets are not always efficient,and we can add value through tactical asset allocation.

3. No-one has perfect foresight, so we want to have well-diversified portfolios strategically and tactically.

4. Emotions can be the most damaging thing for long-term growth of investments – so we have processes which mitigate instinctive actions and reactions.

5. We believe that being cost conscious is important in a low-return world, so will seek to drive costs down where possible. However, we are also not afraid to pay for quality, provided the price is reasonable.

6. We value independent opinions from third parties, whether external economists, strategists or fund managers.

7. Where we make mistakes, the important thing is the lessons we learn.

Process:

Our process is structured around our Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA), which provides a robust framework for each portfolio. The SAA is designed to meet each portfolio's long-term risk and return guidelines and is reviewed annually.

In keeping with our philosophy on active management, we will also take tactical positions (Tactical Asset Allocation) away from our SAA in line with market conditions. While tactical changes might move a portfolio away from our from our SAA, the SAA is the long-term anchor that we believe in. This allows clients to invest safe in the knowledge that their portfolio will, over any reasonable time period, have the characteristics that they signed up for.