Insights & research
Articles from our advisory team
Understanding Stock Market Cycles: Bull Markets, Bear Markets, and the Long View
Stock markets move in cycles. Understanding what drives those cycles — and why trying to time them usually destroys value — is fundamental to long-term investment success.
Read article →Wealth ManagementUnderstanding Private Banking: What It Is, Who Qualifies, and Whether It's Worth It
Private banking promises a bespoke, relationship-based financial service for the wealthy. Understanding what it actually delivers, what it costs, and when independent advice is a better choice is essential for HNW international investors.
Read article →Wealth ManagementHow Private Bank Discretionary Mandates Work: IPS, Benchmarks, Fees and Disputes
Discretionary investment management is the most common private banking service for HNW clients — but how it actually works is often opaque. We explain investment policy statements, benchmark selection, fee structures, performance reporting, and what to do when things go wrong.
Read article →InvestmentsUnderstanding Offshore Investment Bonds: A Plain English Guide
An offshore investment bond is one of the most powerful financial tools available to internationally mobile investors — yet it is poorly understood by most people who hold one. This guide explains in plain English what it is, how the tax treatment works, and when it makes sense.
Read article →InvestmentsActive Managed Funds vs Passive ETFs: The Evidence and What It Means for You
The debate between active and passive investing has decades of data behind it. The evidence is clearer than most active fund managers would like — but there are nuances that matter for internationally mobile investors.
Read article →InvestmentsLiquidity Risk in Investment Portfolios: What It Means and How to Manage It
Liquidity risk — the inability to sell an investment quickly at a fair price — is one of the most underappreciated risks in private client portfolios. This guide explains how to measure, manage, and plan for liquidity across asset classes.
Read article →InvestmentsUnderstanding Credit Ratings: What They Mean for Investors
Credit ratings are used across global financial markets to assess the default risk of borrowers. They shape what institutional investors can hold, the interest rates companies pay, and the risk profile of bond portfolios. Here is what they actually mean.
Read article →Wealth ManagementThe Ultra-High-Net-Worth Investor: Different Challenges and Solutions
UHNW investors — those with investable assets above $30 million — face distinct challenges around tax complexity, access to opportunities, governance, and the management of non-financial assets.
Read article →Tax PlanningUK Tax Year-End Planning Guide: Making the Most of Your Allowances Before 5 April
With the UK tax year closing on 5 April, high earners and internationally mobile individuals have a narrow window to deploy allowances, crystallise losses, and manage income bands. This guide covers every lever worth pulling before the deadline.
Read article →Tax PlanningUK Tax Treaties: Which Countries Have Agreements with HMRC
The UK's network of over 130 double taxation agreements determines how much UK tax you pay on different types of income as an expat — understanding which treaty applies to you is fundamental to international tax planning.
Read article →PensionsWhy Thai Residents Cannot Get an NT Tax Code on a UK Pension
Almost every UK tax treaty an expat meets handles pensions in a single familiar clause. Thailand is the exception, and the exception is expensive if you have built a retirement plan around it.
Read article →Expat LifeFinancial Planning for US Citizens Living Outside the United States
The United States is one of only two countries in the world that taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Understanding this system is essential for every American living abroad.
Read article →Wealth ManagementUnderstanding the Different Types of Financial Adviser — and How to Choose
Not all financial advisers are the same — and the differences matter significantly. Restricted, independent, tied, whole-of-market: understanding what these terms mean, how advisers are paid, and what to look for when you need international financial advice could save you a substantial amount of money.
Read article →Tax PlanningUK Tax Return for Expats: Self-Assessment Guide 2026
A step-by-step guide to completing UK self-assessment as a non-resident or recently departed expat, covering deadlines, what to declare, and common pitfalls.
Read article →Tax PlanningUK Self-Assessment Tax Return: A Guide for Expats and Internationally Mobile Individuals
Many UK expats and internationally mobile individuals have UK Self-Assessment obligations they are not fully aware of. Understanding who must file, what to declare, and what HMRC already knows from CRS data is essential to staying compliant.
Read article →Tax PlanningUK Tax on Foreign Income for Non-Residents
Non-residents are generally not taxed in the UK on foreign income, but there are important exceptions — this guide covers what is and is not in scope.
Read article →Tax PlanningUK Tax Planning for Returning Expats: What You Must Do Before You Land
Returning to the UK after time abroad triggers a series of tax events that need careful planning. We cover split-year treatment, foreign pension income, offshore asset declarations, the residence-based FIG regime, and the Temporary Repatriation Facility for pre-April 2025 funds.
Read article →PensionsThe Complete Guide to UK State Pension If You Live Abroad
Hundreds of thousands of British expats receive the UK State Pension from abroad — but many are unaware of the frozen pension problem, their right to top up National Insurance contributions, or how their pension is taxed. This guide covers everything.
Read article →RetirementThe UK State Pension Frozen Countries List in 2026: What Pensioners Need to Know
Over 500,000 UK pensioners abroad have their State Pension frozen. Here is the country list, why it happens, and what you can do.
Read article →PensionsHow to Check and Maximise Your UK State Pension Forecast
Every pound spent filling National Insurance gaps returns approximately £359/year for life — one of the best risk-free returns available. Here is how to check your forecast and maximise it.
Read article →UK PensionsUK State Pension for Expats: What You Need to Know
The UK state pension is often overlooked by expats — but for many it represents thousands of pounds a year in retirement income. Here is what you need to know.
Read article →PensionsEU Citizens and the UK State Pension Post-Brexit: What You Need to Know
EU citizens and the UK State Pension after Brexit: the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement's social security provisions, voluntary NI contributions from the EU, and Class 2 NI when working abroad.
Read article →PensionsDeferring Your UK State Pension: Is It Worth It?
Every week you defer your UK State Pension beyond your Normal Pension Age, it increases permanently. But the break-even calculation, interactions with means-tested benefits, and tax planning for non-residents make the decision more nuanced than it first appears.
Read article →Tax PlanningUK Tax Return for Expats: A Complete Self-Assessment Guide
A step-by-step walkthrough of UK self-assessment for non-residents and expats, covering registration, deadlines, income sources, and common pitfalls.
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.