ANDERSON Strathern Asset Management, the financial planning and investment business wholly owned by Scottish legal firm Anderson Strathern LLP, grew funds under management to £341 million in 2021 (at 31st December 2021), up from £250 million in the previous year.
CEO Graham Clark said: “Market uplift contributed positively to this result, with an equal contribution from an increase in business from both new and existing clients.”
Ken Davidson was recently hired from Adam & Co to lead Anderson Strathern Asset Management’s new Glasgow hub-style office. Davidson takes up the role of Chartered Financial Planner following over seven years with Adam & Co in Edinburgh, with previous stints as an Associate Director at HSBC Private Bank, and over thirteen years in a variety of senior positions at Royal Bank of Scotland.
Graham Clark said: “Having identified untapped potential in Glasgow over the last couple of years, the timing is right to have a more dedicated presence in the city. Getting Ken on board to lead the provision of financial planning advice and guide our team is a great result.”
Anderson Strathern Asset Management marks its tenth anniversary this year, with Graham Clark adding: “By sticking to what we know, we have been able to steer the business in a steady and progressive fashion. We run model portfolio services internally, but because that doesn’t suit every client, we also conduct market wide due diligence on external investment firms to ensure we have sufficient range and capability to address as wide a variety of client needs as possible.”
Commenting on a more volatile market since the beginning of the year, Phillip Ross, Chief Investment Officer at Anderson Strathern Asset Management, said: “The recent increase in market volatility and the likelihood of future rate rises supports a diversified and disciplined approach to investment. We have seen some clients crystallise capital gains in anticipation of a hike in capital gains tax hikes, while more general fears around future tax rises drive the need for an even closer focus on financial planning.”
In January, Anna Gratwick was appointed to the newly created role of Head of Financial Planning, working closely with the firm’s financial planners, and sitting on Anderson Strathern Asset Management’s investment committee. Gratwick will split her time between the Edinburgh and Glasgow offices, providing additional oversight to help drive the new Glasgow office forward.
Graham Clark said: “Anna is a highly valued member of our senior management team, key to strategy development, while advising a range of private individuals, trusts, charities, and companies.”
Looking ahead to the next twelve months, Clark added: “As our results demonstrate, remote working has not been a barrier throughout the pandemic. Our approach this year will remain consistent – independent, advice-led financial planning, which we know resonates strongly with our client base and which we expect to lead to further client wins in 2022.”
