Heartwood, the independently owned wealth manager, has announced the launch of its investment management divison as the result of its long-term strategy to build a scalable investment platform. Over the past few years, Heartwood has also introduced a range of Multi Asset Funds and launched a new InVantage portfolio management and settlement system to improve client servicing and operating efficiency. Total assets under management and administration have grown from just over £800 million in 2007 to more than £1.3 billion currently.

In addition to managing segregated portfolios, Heartwood Investment Management, led by Chief Investment Officer Noland Carter, offers new and existing clients access to its comprehensive range of Multi Asset Funds, which since their launch in December 2009 have attracted more than £500 million, over 40% of discretionary assets under management.

Simon Lough, Chief Executive Officer of Heartwood, said: “Over the past three years, we have followed a clear strategy to enhance our investment proposition and this has proved instrumental in achieving record growth figures. For many new clients, the calibre and expertise of investment management has been a key factor in selecting Heartwood. As our increased scale propels Heartwood into a new and larger league of wealth and investment management providers, we look forward to building a stronger identity for our investment management division that is commensurate with our size.”

“Offering a truly integrated wealth management service will remain central to our business, and we expect that many of our clients will continue to benefit from our wide-ranging services, which include tax structuring, retirement and inheritance planning.”

Noland Carter added: “Heartwood Investment Management has established an enviable track record of consistently strong investment performance over both the short and the long term. That, combined with the quality of our people and the rigour of our investment process, has won us growing recognition in the marketplace and has made us an attractive choice not just for private clients but increasingly also for intermediaries and charitable organisations.”