Investment Advice

Putting financial science to work, for investors just like you

We're committed to providing you with a successful investment experience

This means more than just focusing on investment returns.

It means giving you peace of mind, because a transparent approach backed by decades of Nobel Prize winning research is powering every decision we make together.

Markets go up and they go down. Our goals is to help you be prepared, so you can stick with your plan and reach your goals.

Learn how financial science delivers better results

Discover how science has transformed every aspect of our lives - including how we invest for success - in this video from Dimensional Fund Advisers.

“It’s about implementing scientifically proven ideas in finance for our clients and getting them better results”

John Viney
COO, AES International

“I have received the most attentive personal service from my AES adviser who has responded to our needs and requests with sound advice and commitment.”

Mariam Haqui
Retired

“AES International let you feel comfortable your assets are in good hands AES International is managing my portfolio very carefully, with professionalism and attention, regularly calling for a short update on the market and the impact on my investment portfolio.”

Andrea Ferretti

Self-directed investing

Many people just need a helping hand, so they start off in the right direction when investing internationally. They don't have a requirement for full financial advice.

Typically, those with between £50,000 and £250,000 can benefit from the institutional access and pricing of our Index Account™.

You get intelligent and appropriate diversification - without the costs associated with bespoke financial planning.

X-Ray Review™

Uncover the truth about your investments with an X-Ray Review™

Many investors come to us with a niggling feeling that something isn't quite right with an investment or with their pension. Our free X-Ray Review™ is a detailed and technical analysis of the savings, investments and pensions you already have. It looks at the commission you have paid, the fees, charges and terms to which you are subject, and examines your results against the benchmark. Our experts then provide scientific evidence and advice to get you peace of mind and better results.

International investment advice

This service enables those with more than £250,000 of investible assets to get bespoke advice.

It gets you an asset allocation strategy tailored to your own cash flow plan.

And you get the peace of mind and security that comes from working with experienced chartered professionals, who act as fiduciaries.

What you get with us

International expertise and experience

Our team has chartered financial planners, chartered accountants and chartered wealth managers

Independence

You get independent, transparent, fee-based advice from a fiduciary: that is an adviser who puts your interests first

Peace of mind

International, cross-border, multi-jurisidictional, expatriate, offshore and non-dom: it's everything we do

Frequently asked questions

Do I need international investment advice?

Expatriates, and those with international investment requirements, have significant financial opportunities.

For example, they often have higher earning/saving potential, sometimes substantial tax benefits, or they may be enjoying an overseas retirement…

Making the right decisions, in any of these situations, so you ensure your assets are working efficiently within this often confusing and sometimes risky environment, is critical to gaining maximum long-term financial success.

How do I get the best international investment advice?

International, cross-border, multi-jurisdictional and offshore investment advice can be complex.

In part, this is caused by the interplay of different tax, legal and regulatory frameworks.

We strongly believe the best international investment advice is received from a professional, fee-based advisory firm that specialises within this specific area.

Their expert advice is free from the inherent conflicts commonly associated with the likes of banks, wealth managers and so-called IFAs.

How can I invest as an expat?

The short answer is, easily!

After initial discussions around your goals or queries, and the services and solutions we can offer, we then take great care to establish your investment account correctly, or direct you to a platform where you can self-invest.

If you become an AES client, we can work with you to make the best, well-informed decisions about how to invest your money to achieve your financial goals.

How much money should I expect to make?

We don’t believe that you should ever attach weight to predictions of future returns.

Markets are simply too complicated for that.

However, we believe that while past performance is absolutely not a guarantee of future returns, long-term historic market behaviour has been very consistent.

In particular, history shows that asset class volatility (or risk) is highly consistent.

We don’t expect this to change - it’s often said that the four most dangerous words in the English language are ‘This time it’s different’!

So, we carefully consider the lessons the market has taught over centuries, and follow modern, best practice in employing properly-designed, risk-managed and efficient portfolios.

Over the long term, higher-risk portfolios tend to generate higher returns, but they will be more volatile than their lower-risk alternatives.

Experience shows that clients with the highest returns are those who are able to stay the course for the longest period of time, through volatility, and the regular periods of downturns that markets always experience.

How will my offshore investments be taxed?

We aren’t tax advisers, so we can’t give professional guidance on your tax exposure.

International investors may benefit from very low, or zero tax rates in the countries where they live. But tax, especially where it involves cross-border issues, is increasingly complex - and you must be very careful to take tax advice from a reputable, properly qualified tax adviser, who is qualified to give opinions on the tax exposure you will have in the countries that are relevant to you.

Whatever you do, make sure you understand and follow the tax laws, as the penalties for even inadvertent tax evasion may involve very large fines or even imprisonment.

There are tax advisers with whom many of our clients work, and we can give you their contact details, just ask us - this does not serve as a recommendation however, or tax advice.

Do you manage my investments for me?

No. There are two types of investment management: advisory and discretionary.

AES International is not a discretionary investment manager, which means that we don’t have authority for the final investment decision-making and transactions.

Instead, we give you professional advice.

Advisory investment managers advise their clients about which investments to choose.

It is then up to the client whether or not they take this advice.

Am I locked in if I take your international investment advice?

No.

Successful investing requires a long-term perspective, but we recognise that circumstances can change and that your plans may need to be revised accordingly.

It is fundamental to our approach that you can withdraw any or all of your money whenever you like, without penalty, cost or delay - and there’s no minimum investment period.

Is there a minimum investment?

No.

We maintain a commitment to help all expatriates with their financial planning regardless of their wealth, wherever we can.

However, given that our minimum annual fee for bespoke, international financial planning is £1,250, we believe our advisory services are best suited to those with at least £250,000 to invest.

The minimum investment within our self-directed, Index Account™ is just £50,000 and we have a wealth of free, financial education resources in our Knowledge Library, Video Library and blog to help you make the best, well-informed decisions.

Should expatriates invest offshore?

There’s a rule that applies to expat investing, it’s as simple as ABC…and it’s common sense. If you are from country A, and you live in country B, then you should keep your investments in country C.

If, for example, you are British, living in the UAE, you should make sure that your savings are held and managed in a third country - one where the rule of law, tax regulations and ease of doing business are all at the highest level.

There are lots of good reasons for this – not least that the country where you live may have tax or inheritance rules that are very different to what you would want or expect.

Keeping your wealth in a third, neutral jurisdiction, keeps you safe from unexpected risks, and maintains your tax efficiency until you return to your home country or move to another expat location as well.