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IHT Portfolio Service

Our IHT Portfolio Service offers you a simple and efficient strategy for managing your inheritance tax (IHT) liability. It enables you to invest in companies listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) – many of which benefit from business relief (BR) as well as offering growth potential.

AIM investing tends to be higher risk than other forms of investment due to the speculative, less established nature of smaller companies. This is why our IHT Portfolio Service is provided by specialist Investment Managers with the expertise needed to navigate the finer points of this type of investment.

Why choose our IHT Portfolio Service?

  • Your IHT portfolio can benefit from tax free growth if you include it in your annual ISA allowance
  • After two years, certain AIM company shares are not included in your estate for IHT purposes, rather than the seven-year rule for gifts and simple trust transfers
  • Active management of your IHT portfolio, so if an investment is no longer appropriate or eligible for BR, we can sell it and reinvest in an alternative without the two-year period restarting
  • Our strong investment performance track record and exceptional client service
  • A robust investment process and strict investment criteria focussed on helping you meet your objectives
  • Regular contract notes and quarterly valuations to keep you up to date

How we choose the AIM companies our IHT portfolio invests in

Our IHT portfolio invests in a diversified range of established, profitable companies chosen from AIM.

We look to construct a portfolio of between 25-40 established, profitable companies with a demonstrated track record that we consider to be capable of delivering the best risk-adjusted returns on a sustainable basis.

Our approach to selecting companies to include in our IHT portfolio is pragmatic and disciplined. With each stock going through a rigorous process before we will invest in the company. We also tend to avoid the more speculative areas of AIM, such as mining, oil and gas, commodity exploration and biotechnology companies.

Speak to an expert about an IHT portfolio

Book a complimentary, no-obligation consultation to learn how our IHT Portfolio Service could help you pass on your wealth more tax efficiently.

Get in touch

 Advice on inheritance tax

Our independent Wealth Planners can advise you on managing your potential IHT liability. If you already have an investment portfolio with us, our Wealth Planners will work closely with your Investment Manager to restructure your portfolio to help manage IHT.

 

AIM investing – your questions answered

To help you understand why investing in the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) can be a good way to mitigate your liability for inheritance tax and the risks to be aware of, Investment Manager Peter Bottomley has answered the questions he’s most often asked.

AIM (which stands for the Alternative Investment Market) is the London Stock Exchange’s market for small and medium size companies. Since its inception in 1995, the market has grown to become the world’s most successful market for high-growth companies.   

During this time, over 4,000 innovative, entrepreneurial companies, representing many different countries and sectors, have raised more than £122bn on AIM, helping smaller companies attract the capital they need for expansion.

AIM shares are potentially one of the most tax-efficient investments in the UK.

Most AIM shares qualify for 100% business relief, which is particularly useful for succession planning (passing your wealth to loved ones) because once you have held them for two years, they become IHT exempt – compared to gifts and simple trust transfers, where you have to survive for seven years.

You can also hold AIM shares in an ISA and there's no stamp duty to pay when you buy them.

Investing in AIM is higher risk because it involves investing in smaller companies – often towards the start of their lifecycle. While this offers the prospect of greater returns, success is by no means guaranteed and the risk of failure or not delivering on their ambitions is much greater than we would see in the main market of the London Stock Exchange.

However, investing in AIM can also enable you to take advantage of a dynamic market of growing businesses, in some cases offering the potential for significant returns on investment.

Today, there are 813 companies listed on AIM, many of which have grown to be world leaders in their respective fields. FeverTree Drinks plc, Hotel Chocolat Group plc, and Jet2 plc are just some of the more familiar household names that call AIM their home, and there are over 200 companies now capitalised north of £100m. Furthermore, despite recent negative market movements, there are over 15 companies listed on AIM that have a market value over £1bn, which would place them comfortably in the FTSE 250 index.

Speak to an expert about our IHT Portfolio Service

Book a complimentary, no-obligation meeting to learn how our IHT Portfolio Service could help you pass on your wealth more tax efficiently.

Get in touch

This is not a recommendation to invest or disinvest in any of the companies, themes or sectors mentioned. They are included for illustrative purposes only.

Investment involves risk. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back the amount originally invested. It is not suitable for everyone.

This service should be regarded as high risk, as it is exclusively focused on equities. The portfolios are wholly invested in small capitalisation stocks. These companies are therefore more volatile and, while they can offer great potential, growth is not guaranteed. It is important to note that this should be seen as a long-term investment.

The current inheritance tax rules and tax treatment of AIM shares may change in the future. We strongly recommend that clients discuss their financial arrangements with their tax adviser before investing, as the value of any tax reliefs available is subject to individual circumstances.

Specific risks of the IHT portfolio service investing in AIM-listed companies include the potential volatility and illiquidity associated with smaller capitalisation companies. There may be a wide spread between buying and selling prices for AIM-listed shares. If you have to sell these shares immediately you may not get back the full amount invested, due to the wide spread. AIM rules are less demanding than those of the official list of the London Stock Exchange, and companies listed on AIM carry a greater risk than a company with a full listing. The current inheritance tax rules and tax treatment of AIM shares may change in the future. In addition, you must be prepared to hold your shares in AIM-listed companies for a minimum of two years or these assets will be considered part of your estate in the IHT calculation.

 

Book a freeconsultation with an Investment Manager

Typically, we work with clients who have over £250,000 of investable assets. Please note, we do not offer a one-off share sale service below these amounts.

If you are interested in career opportunities at Adam & Company, then please do not use this form to get in touch. Instead, please email us: cgwmukcareers@canaccord.com to find out more.

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What happens next?

1. Arranging an initial consultation

First you can expect to receive an email from our team within 48 hours to find a suitable time that works for you, to arrange a voice or video call for an initial consultation.

2. Your consultation 

During this consultation, a member of the team will discuss your situation with you to understand your requirements and answer any questions you might have about Adam & Company and the services that we provide.

3. Referral to a Wealth Planner or Investment Manager

If you decide to progress with us, you will be referred to one of our Wealth Planners or Investment Managers to discuss your situation and requirements in more detail. They will then design a bespoke proposal detailing a unique investment portfolio that matches your individual requirements and attitude to risk, to meet you and your family’s needs.

4. Working with you long-term

With our wealth planning and investment management professionals, your wealth is in expert hands. We will always keep you informed about your investment portfolio and performance and will continue to work with you to build our relationship on your terms. We can meet with you face-to-face, by phone or by email, whichever is more convenient for you. You can also access your account online at any time through our app. Our wealth management professionals are always readily available to speak with you.

 

Investment involves risk and you may not get back what you invest. It’s not suitable for everyone.

Investment involves risk and is not suitable for everyone.