Multi-asset funds

Markets spent most of last week watching the White House soap opera unfold, ending with the departure of chief strategist Steve Bannon. The optimistic spin being put on this is that it will allow Donald Trump and what is left of his team to focus on tax reform, an issue that is obviously of great importance to investors. Firstly though, the administration needs to prove it can work effectively with Congress and get the debt ceiling raised by early October otherwise the ‘full faith and credit’ of the United States will be tested. Meanwhile, in the UK, the government published a number of position papers on Brexit as hopefully a way of pushing the negotiations with the EU forward; they were a reminder also of how fiendishly complicated some of the issues are likely to prove which will almost inevitably mean a long transition period is required. This week, investors will be looking forward to the Jackson Hole conference where Janet Yellen and Mario Draghi are due to speak. This annual summit occasionally produces market-moving speeches from central bankers and there is plenty for them to talk about in terms of low inflation, quantitative easing and currency markets. Markets are understandably aware that low interest rates and QE have been a big driver of the strong returns that have been enjoyed in recent years and are obviously sensitive to any sign that this support is about to end. We would expect Draghi and Yellen to continue to sound pretty dovish though as there remains a real lack of significant inflation pressures despite low unemployment rates and solid economic growth.

Tim Childe, head of Quilter Cheviot’s Jersey office and head of international, has been listed as one of Citywealth’s top 20 men in private wealth management for 2017. With over 30 years’ experience in the investment management industry, the last 27 at Quilter Cheviot, Tim is highly experienced in managing investment portfolios for charities, family trusts and private clients around the world. Tim said, “I really enjoy dealing with clients and helping them to meet their financial aspirations, and so to be nominated for inclusion by my peers was a great honour in itself. I am thrilled to have my efforts recognised by being recommended by Citywealth’s leaders list.” Selections are made by the editors of Citywealth based on ten years of industry experience and market research within the wealth industry, using criteria including communications skills, interpersonal skills and technical expertise.

After 12 years at the helm of Quilter Cheviot’s Birmingham office, Sean Raftery has passed the reins as head of office on to executive director, David Jupp. Sean, who has been with the firm for 23 years, will remain with the company and return his attention to his client facing role. David was previously deputy head of the company’s midlands office; he joined Quilter Cheviot in 1999 from Capel Cure Sharp, previously Albert E Sharp.Commenting on his recent appointment, David said: ‘Sean and I have worked closely together for 30 years, in the last six years as head and deputy head of the Birmingham office respectively. Sean has led our office to great success and I am delighted to continue to build on our work with private clients and the local professional community to further grow our business for the future.’David added that the wealth management sector in the city is thriving. He said: ‘We are witnessing a long term growth in the savings and investment industries. Birmingham is ideally placed as a financial and regional centre to capitalise on this. The depth of our relationships in Birmingham, combined with the longevity and continuity of the senior team here, have all played a major part in our success in the city.’Quilter Cheviot’s Birmingham office opened in 1994, it has since grown to become the company’s largest regional team with 42 staff members.Head of Quilter Cheviot’s regional offices, Richard Thorn said: ‘I would like to congratulate David in his new role and wish him every success. I also want to thank Sean for his ongoing commitment to the Birmingham office and its team over the last 23 years.’Investors should remember that the value of investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up. Investors may not recover what they invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.Any mention of a specific security should not be interpreted as a solicitation to buy or sell a specific security.