Our top 10 wealth boutiques

Citywire has scoured the UK investment management profession to identify the wealth boutiques that are leading the way.

In what is a broad space with a range of companies adopting the fashionable label, we have focused on independent growing wealth boutiques with a clear investment process and proposition, which have succeeded in attracting the attentions of a panel of leading investment consultants. They have highlighted the businesses they believe have successfully grown assets under management and have a business that is scalable but remains true to the original vision of the founders.

The challenges facing any wealth management boutique founder include how to: gain momentum and grow assets under management and revenues; differentiate the offering in the market place; incentivise and align the interests of staff; and, arguably, surpass the psychological £1 billion mark in assets under management .

Asset Risk Consultants’ Graham Harrison says only a minority succeed in gaining momentum and experience consistent growth, while others ‘never seem to make it’.

Richard Williams, managing director of consultancy MDRC, added: ‘By definition, family offices are quite small businesses. You want to look at businesses that are scalable.

‘Anyone can set up a business and look after 10 clients. The challenge is managing 1,000 clients and success is measured by taking the vision of the founders and moving from small scale to large scale.’

Our top 10 in alphabetical order...

Date founded: 1981

AUM: £600 million