Planning ahead
In keeping with this, Blackden begins its relationship with clients with a ‘factfind’, which consists of a confidential questionnaire outlining current circumstances and, importantly, future plans regarding residency and currency.
Marriott says it is the part regarding future plans that largely determines its next steps. “These residential variations mean Blackden’s advice must be inherently holistic,” he says. “For example, someone who plans to retire to France cannot be put in the same currency or investment funds as someone who plans to return to the UK.
“Our decisions usually reflect a client’s medium and medium to longterm financial objectives.”
After a plan is set out and appropriate investments are chosen, Blackden’s advisers meet with clients every three to six months to discuss any appropriate changes to investments with regard to global developments or market changes.
Regardless of global economic variations, Blackden’s clients usually target reasonable returns with an equally reasonable level of risk.
As Marriott puts it: “While they are not likely to put everything on black, they are likely to recognise market trends that could affect their returns”.
Most clients come to Blackden with a view to getting their financial affairs sorted by someone who speaks English and who specialises in providing advice that reflects local tax and regulatory requirements.
As Marriott puts it, the company benefits from “living and breathing” Switzerland.
“There are many competitors here, many of which have a more global reach than Blackden, but we benefit from a local knowledge that is hard to match when focused on a variety of jurisdictions.”
