Insights & research
Articles from our advisory team
Wealth Structuring for Internationally Mobile Families: An Overview
A practical guide to the core principles, vehicles, and tax considerations that internationally mobile families need to understand when structuring their wealth across multiple jurisdictions.
Read article →Wealth ManagementProtecting Wealth During Economic, Political, and Currency Crises
Economic crises, currency devaluations, and political upheaval can destroy wealth that took decades to build. This guide draws on historical examples and current strategies to help internationally mobile individuals protect their wealth against extreme but plausible risks.
Read article →Wealth ManagementHow to Choose a Wealth Manager: The Questions That Matter
Choosing a wealth manager is one of the most consequential financial decisions you will make. The difference between good and mediocre advice, compounded over decades, can be measured in millions. Here are the questions that matter — and the answers that should give you confidence or pause.
Read article →Wealth ManagementHow Wealthy Do You Need to Be? A Benchmarking Guide
Net worth benchmarks for UK individuals: wealth percentiles, HNWI/VHNWI/UHNWI definitions by Capgemini and Credit Suisse, wealth management industry thresholds, and what financial services unlock at different wealth levels.
Read article →PensionsVoluntary National Insurance Contributions for Expats: Building Your State Pension
How expats can fill NI gaps with voluntary Class 2 and Class 3 contributions, the cost-benefit calculation, deadlines for backdating, and why this is often the best risk-free return available.
Read article →Estate PlanningWhat Happens to My UK Assets When I Die Abroad?
Dying abroad with UK assets creates administrative complexity and potential legal conflicts. Here is how cross-border succession works — and how to structure your affairs to make it simpler.
Read article →InvestmentsVenture Debt: What Investors Need to Know
A guide to venture debt for investors: how it complements venture equity, warrant coverage, revenue-based financing, UK lenders, the interaction with EIS-funded companies, and the risk profile compared to traditional lending.
Read article →Tax PlanningVenture Capital Trusts (VCTs): The Complete Guide for 2026
VCTs offer 30% income tax relief on subscriptions up to £200,000, tax-free dividends, and CGT-free disposal. They are one of the most tax-efficient investment vehicles for UK higher-rate taxpayers. This guide covers how VCTs work, the different types, the 5-year holding requirement, and how they compare with EIS.
Read article →InvestmentsVCT Investing: 30% Tax Relief, Tax-Free Dividends, and What to Know
Venture Capital Trusts offer 30% income tax relief, tax-free dividends, and CGT-free gains for investments up to £200,000 per year. They provide a more liquid route to tax-efficient venture investing than direct EIS or SEIS.
Read article →InvestmentsComparing Major ETF Providers: Vanguard vs iShares vs Invesco and Beyond
The ETF market has consolidated around a handful of dominant providers, each with distinct characteristics. This guide compares Vanguard, iShares, Invesco, SPDR, Xtrackers, and L&G — covering charges, tracking quality, AUM, securities lending, and how to choose.
Read article →Wealth ManagementUsing Trusts to Protect International Wealth
How trust structures can protect and preserve wealth for internationally mobile families — covering asset protection, estate planning, tax efficiency, and the key planning considerations.
Read article →InvestmentsOffshore Investment Bonds for Tax Deferral: A Detailed Guide
How offshore investment bonds work as tax deferral vehicles: the 5% cumulative withdrawal facility, top-slicing relief, policyholder gain calculations, IOM vs Dublin wrappers, assignment strategies, and regulatory framework.
Read article →Estate PlanningWills and Power of Attorney: The Legal Documents Every Expat Needs
A UK will does not cover your assets in other countries. A UK Lasting Power of Attorney may not be recognised abroad. This guide explains exactly which legal documents every internationally mobile person needs — and the practical checklist to confirm they're in place.
Read article →RetirementWill I Outlive My Money? Testing Your Retirement Income Plan
The question behind every retirement plan: will the money last? Here is how to test your plan — withdrawal rates, dynamic strategies, other income sources, and how to close any gap.
Read article →Wealth ManagementWhy Most Retail Investors Underperform the Market
The average investor consistently earns less than the funds they hold. The reason is almost always behavioural. Here is what the data shows and how to overcome it.
Read article →Wealth ManagementUnderstanding Wealth Management Fees — and How to Negotiate Them
A 1% AUM fee sounds modest — but on a £1m portfolio it's £10,000 a year. Understanding the full cost of wealth management, and getting good value, matters enormously.
Read article →Tax PlanningVenture Capital Trusts: Tax Relief, Risk, and What Internationally Mobile Investors Need to Know
Venture Capital Trusts offer 30% upfront income tax relief and tax-free dividends — but invest in very high-risk early-stage companies. Know what you're getting into.
Read article →News & UpdatesHow Will the Fed's Interest Rate Cuts Impact the UAE Economy?
The recent decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve (US Fed) to cut interest rates has far-reaching implications for global economies, including the UAE. While the Fed’s actions primarily target domestic economic concerns such as inflation and growth in the United States, the ripple effects of lower rat
Read article →InvestmentsUS Expats and PFIC Rules: The Investment Trap Most Don't Know About
The Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) rules impose punitive tax treatment on US persons who hold non-US funds. For American expats investing abroad, understanding PFIC is not optional — the consequences of getting it wrong are severe.
Read article →Market AnalysisUS Election Cycles and Investment Markets: What the Evidence Actually Shows
Every US election cycle brings confident predictions about how markets will respond to different outcomes. The historical evidence is more nuanced than the commentary suggests — and has clear implications for globally mobile investors.
Read article →Financial PlanningUniversity Fees for Expat Children: UK vs International Tuition Planning
Expat children face significantly higher university fees than UK-resident students — understanding the options and planning well in advance makes university funding manageable rather than crippling.
Read article →Wealth ManagementUnderstanding UK Trust Law: A Guide for Internationally Mobile Families
Trusts are among the most flexible and enduring wealth structuring tools available in English law. This guide explains how they work, when they are useful, and the practical considerations for internationally mobile families with assets in multiple jurisdictions.
Read article →Tax PlanningThe UK Tax Year Calendar: Key Dates and Deadlines for Expats
The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April — but the deadlines that matter extend throughout the calendar year. We explain self-assessment, payment on account, overseas income declarations, CGT 60-day rules, and pension contribution deadlines.
Read article →Tax PlanningThe UK Tax System Explained for Internationally Mobile Individuals
The UK tax system is layered, with income tax, National Insurance, CGT, IHT, and VAT operating under different rules and thresholds. For internationally mobile individuals, understanding which taxes apply — and when — is essential for effective financial planning.
Read article →Speak to a Global Investments adviser
Our independent advisers work with internationally mobile clients on pensions, investments, tax planning, protection, and international financial structures.