I can clearly remember my first day at Cazenove Capital: walking into 12 Moorgate, London, on a beautiful July morning with all the nerves and anticipation that starting a new job brings.
That same morning, Cazenove Capital had launched the Model Portfolio Service (MPS) and there was a tangible sense of excitement.
Two years in the planning, designing and building, this range of model portfolios was set to change the way that advisers accessed our investment expertise, process and philosophy.
Two centuries of innovation
The fact that Cazenove Capital was launching a cost-effective range of risk-rated models was a key factor in my decision to join the firm.
Of course, the 200- year history, the research and investment capability of both Cazenove Capital and the Schroders Group, and the experience and dedication of the people were important too. There is something about our culture that sets us apart from our peers.
It is hard to define culture but the effects are clear to see; from one of the lowest staff turnovers in the industry, to the number of new clients that come from referrals and the increasing number of adviser partners that now ask us to look after their own money and investments.
The culture at Cazenove Capital is one of engagement and inclusion, of collaboration and working to deliver the right solution.
Reflecting the needs of our clients
When the team told me that they were launching the MPS, it was clear that they were not among the earliest entrants in this market and a cheap ‘me too’ range of models was not an option. They took their time, stood back, learned lessons from early entrants and consulted and collaborated with advisers.
This ability to stand back, reflect and anticipate what advisers and clients will need in the long term rather than the next few months is fuelled entirely by the unique nature of our business.
Our structure as a FTSE 100 company, with 48 per cent ownership by the Schroders family, provides governance and stability but also the freedom to make the right long-term decisions to support our advisers and partners.
New ideas, enduring philosophy
The model portfolios are run by the same managers within the same Discretionary Fund Management (DFM) Team that runs all of our Adviser discretionary assets.
They are rebalanced actively, in line and in time with our discretionary house views. Platform constraints mean that there are, of course, some differences in fund selection, but they are still our best ideas.
