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Investment Committee
There are over 5,500 funds available to private investors in the UK. Choice is good, but too much choice can be overwhelming, even paralysing. Not to mention incredibly time consuming.
That is why we have whittled thousands of funds down to what we believe are the best-in-class. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned investor, there is something for everyone.
Our Investment Committee
In building TILLIT's investment Universe we went back to first principles. Our Manifesto outlines our key beliefs and forms the backbone of the selection process and ultimately, the investment universe.
The purpose of the Investment Committee is to provide governance, support, challenge and transparency to the fund selection process and to ensure we stay true to our investment beliefs. The committee meets regularly to discuss updates and news related to the funds in the Universe, as well as to explore and debate new ideas.
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Felicia Hjertman
Felicia is the Founder & CEO of TILLIT with eight years of investment management experience at Baillie Gifford across Japanese and European equities, as well as corporate bonds. She spent the majority of her career focused on Japanese equities and managed portfolios for institutional clients and retail investors as the Co-manager of the Japanese Smaller Companies fund and Deputy manager of Shin Nippon investment trust.
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Patrick Edwardson
Patrick has 30 years of global investment experience, covering both mainstream and alternative asset classes. He joined Baillie Gifford in 1993 and was promoted to partner in 2005. During his time at Baillie Gifford he led the firm’s multi-asset business. He retired from Baillie Gifford in 2020 and now runs his own family investment vehicle, Atheian Ltd. He also serves as a non-executive director on two investment trusts, Edinburgh Investment Trust and JPMorgan Multi-Asset Growth and Income.
Patrick is an investor in TILLIT Limited.
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Ben Yearsley
Ben has over 20 years of personal finance and fund selection experience, including 15 years at Hargreaves Lansdown. He helped launch Charles Stanley Direct as Head of Investment Research, and has co-founded a tax efficient investment company for high net worth individuals. He chairs the investment committee for a financial planning company and has served as a non-executive director for a fund of funds. Ben is a leading commentator in the personal finance industry on funds and markets.
Ben is an investor in TILLIT Limited.
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Gavin Haynes
Gavin has over 25 years of investment experience with a focus on portfolio construction. He served as Managing Director at Whitechurch Securities, heading up their discretionary fund manager service for 15 years during which time the company won a wide range of industry awards for service and performance. Gavin is a long-term commentator on fund selection and investment markets.
Gavin is an investor in TILLIT Limited.
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Sheridan Admans
Sheridan is Head of Fund Selection at TILLIT. He has nearly 20 years of industry experience, specialising in investment analysis roles such as Fund of Funds Manager, Investment Analyst and Investment Adviser. Sheridan was recognised in the FT Adviser Hidden Gems Club shortlist of “30 funds under the radar between £10 & £100 million in size” in 2016 and was highlighted by Trustnet in 2015 as offering ‘best protection this year’ to investors in a multi-manager fund he managed at the time. Sheridan is a Chartered Wealth Manager and an MBA holder.
Our manifesto
1
Breadth and diversification is necessary
Our investment universe stretches across asset classes, countries, investment styles, themes, management structure and return profiles so that DIY investors can build portfolios that meet their needs and preferences. We also offer a range of multi-asset funds for those investors who want to take a more hands-off, ready-meal approach.
2
There is no one-size-fits-all
Funds come in many shapes and structures. We consider open-ended funds, investment trusts and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). We believe that each structure has its pros and cons, but all funds on our platform have to be regulated.
3
Tolerance of risk varies
We know that tolerance of risk varies from person to person, over time and with changing circumstances. Ultimately, personal goals, individual preferences and time horizon will influence how much risk to take. We therefore offer a range of funds suitable for all tastes and risk appetites.
4
The best of both worlds
Opinion is divided on whether active funds (those run by a fund manager) or passive funds (those that track an index) are the better way to invest. We believe there is a place for both.
5
Value for money
Fees play a key part in total returns. In the case of actively managed funds, we look for those that are fairly priced and have a track record of delivering value after fees. In the case of passively managed funds, we look for those that offer market exposure at minimal cost.
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Passive funds should be simple and cheap
We believe that the purpose of passive funds is to give the investor broad market access at low cost. We look for passive funds that track large markets, replicate the index closely and are easy to trade. In the case of commodities, we prefer those that are secured by physical bars of the metal they track, not the whims of the futures market.
7
Active has to be genuinely active
We believe that the purpose of active funds is to be significantly different from the benchmarks they aim to outperform. This is measured by active share. The higher the active share, the more different the fund is compared to its benchmark. We believe that by being different, the fund manager demonstrates independence of thought and conviction in their approach.
8
We prefer focused asset managers
For active funds, we have a preference for focused and privately held asset managers who encourage their fund managers to concentrate on their craft without pressure of short-term performance targets.
9
Experience and expertise make great fund managers
Whether they operate as a team, a duo or independently, we look for fund managers with experience and expertise in their field. We look for integrity, track record and conviction.
10
The ‘what’, the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ should be clear and consistent
The raison d'être of an active fund has to be clearly articulated in its philosophy. It should describe what the fund is striving to achieve and why. We look for funds with a repeatable process and a sense of purpose.
11
Sustainability is complex
There is a growing number of investors who want to have a positive impact on the planet and our society, or at least cause no harm. Sustainability, responsibility and the ethics of investment are complex issues and can be open to interpretation. We believe they require fundamental analysis and ongoing engagement and that active funds are therefore a better way to invest sustainably.