Insights & research
Articles from our advisory team
Guide to UK Defined Contribution Pension Schemes
Defined Contribution (DC) pensions—often referred to as money purchase pensions—are now the most widely used retirement savings plans in the UK. Whether you're enrolled in a scheme through your workplace or set one up privately, chances are it's a DC pension.
Read article →RetirementGuide to UK Defined Benefit Pension Schemes
Defined benefit pensions remain one of the most secure ways to fund retirement, offering a predictable income that isn’t tied to market performance. Though less common today, they continue to play a vital role for many individuals—especially those who’ve worked in the public sector or for large corp
Read article →News & UpdatesDemystifying the Statutory Residence Test: A Guide for Expats and Investors in the UK
The Statutory Residence Test is a set of rules used by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to determine an individual's residence status for tax purposes in the United Kingdom (UK). Introduced in 2013, the Statutory Residence Test is a complex framework that aims to provide a clear and comprehensive set o
Read article →News & UpdatesA Cautionary Tale on DeFi Liquidity Mining Scams on Binance and Trust Wallet
In the digital age, where cryptocurrency gains traction daily, the shadow of scams grows darker, particularly on platforms like Binance and through services like Trust Wallet. My recent experience sheds light on a sophisticated DeFi Liquidity Mining scam cloaked as a training group on WhatsApp for B
Read article →News & UpdatesDecoding the December 2023 US CPI Data: Economic Trends and Market Implications
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the United States for December 2023 presents a complex economic landscape. With the annual headline CPI inflation rising to 3.4%, surpassing consensus estimates and previous month's figures, it has become imperative to dissect these trends for a better understanding
Read article →Expat LifeCorrespondent Banking and International Wire Transfers: What Expats Need to Know
Understanding how international wire transfers actually work — and why they can be slow, costly, and occasionally blocked — gives globally mobile individuals a significant practical advantage.
Read article →InvestmentsCorrelation and Diversification: Building a Truly Diversified Portfolio
Correlation measures how assets move relative to each other — and understanding it is essential for building portfolios that genuinely reduce risk rather than merely spreading money across many similar bets.
Read article →Property InvestmentCorporate Structures for Property Investors: A Practical Guide
Individual property ownership is increasingly tax-inefficient for higher-rate taxpayers. This guide explains the main corporate structures available to UK and international property investors — from Special Purpose Vehicles to LLPs — and when each one makes sense.
Read article →InvestmentsCore-Satellite Investing: Combining Passive and Active Approaches
Core-satellite investing uses low-cost index funds for the majority of the portfolio while allocating a smaller proportion to active strategies with genuine potential to add value — getting the best of both worlds.
Read article →Tax PlanningControlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules: How They Affect Expat Investors
A clear explanation of the UK's Controlled Foreign Company rules — what they are, when they apply, how they affect UK shareholders with offshore companies, and how to structure around them legitimately.
Read article →Tax PlanningUK Income Tax for Non-Residents: The Complete Guide
Becoming non-UK resident does not end your relationship with HMRC. UK-source income remains taxable in the UK regardless of where you live, and the rules are more nuanced than many non-residents realise. This guide covers every category of UK-source income and what it means for your tax position.
Read article →Financial PlanningFinancial Planning Tools for Internationally Mobile HNW Individuals
From cashflow planning software used by professional advisers to personal finance aggregation apps, currency converters, and tax calculators, this guide covers the financial tools most useful for internationally mobile HNW individuals — and what a professional wealth manager's offering looks like versus what you can assemble yourself.
Read article →Wealth ManagementCompany Insolvency and Director Personal Liability: What Business Owners Need to Know
Limited liability protects most company directors from personal liability — but not always. Understanding when personal liability arises, what assets are at risk, and how to plan legitimately before business risk materialises is essential for every business owner.
Read article →InvestmentsCommodity Investing: A Guide for International Portfolio Investors
Commodities — oil, gold, copper, agricultural products — have distinct risk and return characteristics that make them valuable portfolio diversifiers. This guide covers the investment routes, the major sectors, inflation-hedging evidence, and the practical considerations for internationally mobile investors.
Read article →Market AnalysisThe Commodities Supercycle: Energy Transition Metals, Supply Constraints, and Investment Routes
Energy transition is creating unprecedented demand for copper, lithium, cobalt, and rare earths — while supply constraints remain structural. We examine the supercycle thesis, historical context, and how investors can access the theme.
Read article →InvestmentsClub Deals and Co-Investment Opportunities Explained
Club deals and co-investment alongside private equity funds offer HNW investors reduced fees and larger allocations to high-conviction opportunities — but due diligence requirements are demanding.
Read article →InvestmentsClimate Tech and Clean Energy Investing: Opportunity, Policy Risk, and Portfolio Positioning
The energy transition requires close to $5 trillion of annual investment per year by the early 2030s according to the IEA's World Energy Outlook 2025. We examine the subsectors, ETF options, policy dynamics, and the risks that have caught investors off guard in clean energy.
Read article →InvestmentsClassic Car Investing: A Collector's Investment Guide
Classic cars are one of the few assets that attract genuine CGT exemption for UK investors as 'wasting chattels' — and the best examples have delivered outstanding long-run returns. This guide covers the investment case, the CGT position, which cars appreciate, and the practical realities of ownership.
Read article →Wealth ManagementChoosing an Investment Platform as an Internationally Mobile Person
Most UK investment platforms will restrict or close your account when you move abroad. This guide explains which platforms are accessible to international investors, what to look for, and why an offshore bond wrapper is often the most practical long-term solution for internationally mobile clients.
Read article →Tax PlanningUAE vs Cyprus: Choosing Your Tax Base as a HNW Individual
The UAE and Cyprus are the two most popular tax base choices for UK-origin high-net-worth individuals. Here is an honest comparison of what each offers — and who each suits.
Read article →Financial PlanningSaving for Children's Education: A Planning Guide for International Families
International school fees, rising university costs, and long planning horizons make education one of the most financially significant commitments for internationally mobile families. Starting early makes an enormous difference.
Read article →Wealth ManagementPhilanthropy Structures for UK HNW Individuals: A Practical Guide
From Donor Advised Funds to Charitable Incorporated Organisations, there are multiple ways to structure philanthropic giving in a tax-efficient manner. This guide covers the options available to UK high-net-worth individuals, including giving while non-resident and the impact of the FIG regime.
Read article →Wealth ManagementCharitable Giving and Philanthropy for HNW International Clients
How internationally mobile HNW individuals can structure charitable giving for maximum impact and tax efficiency — covering cross-border philanthropy, charitable foundations, and the key vehicles available.
Read article →Wealth ManagementCharitable Giving Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals
Strategic charitable giving can significantly reduce the tax cost of philanthropy while maximising the amount reaching the causes you care about. A guide to the vehicles and strategies available to HNW donors.
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.