We run a broad range of managed portfolios, within a clearly defined and disciplined investment process
Aspen’s premium MPS solution offers the most comprehensive range of managed portfolios on the market, including: 20 Core portfolios and 6 thematic Satellite portfolios – to suit a wide variety of investor requirements.
Portfolio Selection
Portfolio selection style
Our Portfolio recommendation
Defensive Core Portfolio
The Defensive Core portfolio aims to preserve and grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the medium-term, from a defensive mix of assets. The portfolio will hold mostly defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds), alongside a smaller allocation to growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely those seeking returns in excess of cash, over the medium term. Investors are likely to have a low tolerance for risk, but are willing to accept moderate levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Conservative Core Portfolio
The Conservative Core portfolio aims to preserve and grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term, from a diversified mix of defensive and growth assets. The portfolio will hold a roughly even slit of defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds) and growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely those seeking to generate enhanced real return, but without taking excess risk. Investors are likely to have a low-medium tolerance for risk and are willing to accept moderate levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Balanced Core Portfolio
The Balanced Core portfolio aims to grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term, from a balanced mix of equities and other assets. The portfolio will be biased to growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets), alongside a smaller allocation to defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely those seeking to generate enhanced real return. Investors are likely to have a medium tolerance for risk and are willing to accept moderate levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Growth Core Portfolio
The Growth Core portfolio aims to grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term, from a portfolio biased to equity investments. The portfolio will be mostly invested in growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets), alongside a smaller allocation to defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely those looking for long-term capital growth. Investors are likely to have a medium-high tolerance for risk and are willing to accept relatively high levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Equity Focus Core Portfolio
The Equity Focus Core portfolio aims to grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term. The portfolio will be largely invested in growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets), alongside a small allocation to defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely those looking for long-term capital growth. Investors are likely to have a high tolerance for risk and are willing to accept volatility akin to equity investing.
Defensive Income Portfolio
The Defensive Income portfolio aims to provide an enhanced level of income, whilst maintaining the value of capital over the medium-term. The portfolio will hold mostly defensive assets (e.g. bonds), alongside a smaller allocation to growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely those seeking a reliable income stream from their portfolio. Investors are likely to have a low tolerance for risk, but are willing to accept moderate levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Conservative Income Portfolio
The Conservative Income portfolio aims to provide an enhanced level of income, whilst maintaining the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term. The portfolio will hold a roughly even slit of defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds) and growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely those seeking a reliable income stream from their portfolio. Investors are likely to have a low-medium tolerance for risk and are willing to accept moderate levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Balanced Income Portfolio
The Balanced Income portfolio aims to provide an enhanced level of income, whilst maintaining the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term. The portfolio will be biased to growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets), alongside a smaller allocation to defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely those seeking a reliable income stream from their portfolio. Investors are likely to have a medium tolerance for risk and are willing to accept moderate levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Growth Income Portfolio
The Growth Income portfolio aims to provide an enhanced level of income, whilst maintaining the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term. The portfolio will be mostly invested in growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets), alongside a smaller allocation to defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely those seeking a reliable income stream from their portfolio. Investors are likely to have a medium-high tolerance for risk and are willing to accept relatively high levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals..
For illustrative purposes only
Equity Focus Income Portfolio
The Equity Focus Income portfolio aims to provide an enhanced level of income, whilst growing the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term. The portfolio will be largely invested in growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets), alongside a small allocation to defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely those seeking a reliable income stream from their portfolio, with the potential for capital growth alongside, over the long-term. Investors are likely to have a high tolerance for risk and are willing to accept volatility akin to equity investing..
For illustrative purposes only
Defensive Sustainable Portfolio
The Defensive Sustainable portfolio seeks to preserve and grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the medium-term, from a defensive mix of assets, with a focus on responsible investing. The portfolio will hold mostly defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds), alongside a smaller allocation to growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely to have a dual mandate of seeking returns in excess of cash, over the medium term; alongside investing responsibly. Investors are likely to have a low tolerance for risk, but are willing to accept moderate levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Conservative Sustainable Portfolio
The Conservative Sustainable portfolio seeks to preserve and grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the medium-term, from a defensive mix of assets, with a focus on responsible investing. The portfolio will hold mostly defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds), alongside a smaller allocation to growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely to have a dual mandate of seeking returns in excess of cash, over the medium term; alongside investing responsibly. Investors are likely to have a low tolerance for risk, but are willing to accept moderate levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals. .
For illustrative purposes only
Balanced Sustainable Portfolio
The Balanced Sustainable portfolio aims to grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term, from a balanced mix of equities and other assets, with a focus on responsible investing. The portfolio will be biased to growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets), alongside a smaller allocation to defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely to have a dual mandate of seeking returns in excess of inflation, over the long-term; alongside investing responsibly. Investors are likely to have a medium tolerance for risk and are willing to accept moderate levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Growth Sustainable Portfolio
The Growth Sustainable portfolio aims to grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term, from a portfolio biased to equity investments, with a focus on responsible investing. The portfolio will be mostly invested in growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets), alongside a smaller allocation to defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely to have a dual mandate of long-term capital growth; alongside investing responsibly. Investors are likely to have a medium-high tolerance for risk and are willing to accept relatively high levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Equity Focus Sustainable Portfolio
The Equity Focus Sustainable portfolio aims to grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term, with a focus on responsible investing. The portfolio will be largely invested in growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets), alongsidFim,e a small allocation to defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely to have a dual mandate of long-term capital growth; alongside investing responsibly. Investors are likely to have a high tolerance for risk and are willing to accept volatility akin to equity investing.
For illustrative purposes only
Defensive Passive Portfolio
The Defensive Passive portfolio seeks to preserve and grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the medium-term, from a defensive mix of assets, with a focus on passive funds. The portfolio will hold mostly defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds), alongside a smaller allocation to growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely to have a dual mandate of seeking returns in excess of cash, over the medium term; alongside a desire to have a low cost portfolio of mostly passive funds. Investors are likely to have a low tolerance for risk, but are willing to accept moderate levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Conservative Passive Portfolio
The Conservative Passive portfolio aims to preserve and grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term, from a diversified mix of defensive and growth assets, with a focus on utilising low-cost passive funds. The portfolio will hold a roughly even slit of defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds) and growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely to have a dual mandate of seeking returns in excess of inflation, over the long-term; alongside a desire to have a low cost portfolio of mostly passive funds. Investors are likely to have a medium tolerance for risk and are willing to accept moderate levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Balanced Passive Portfolio
The Balanced Passive portfolio aims to grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term, from a balanced mix of equities and other assets, with a focus on utilising low-cost passive funds. The portfolio will be biased to growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets), alongside a smaller allocation to defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely to have a dual mandate of seeking returns in excess of inflation, over the long-term; alongside a desire to have a low cost portfolio of mostly passive funds. Investors are likely to have a medium tolerance for risk and are willing to accept moderate levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Growth Passive Portfolio
The Growth Passive portfolio aims to grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term, from a portfolio biased to equity investments, with a focus on utilising low-cost passive funds. The portfolio will be mostly invested in growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets), alongside a smaller allocation to defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely to have a dual mandate of long-term capital growth; alongside a desire to have a low cost portfolio of mostly passive funds. Investors are likely to have a medium-high tolerance for risk and are willing to accept relatively high levels of volatility in order to achieve their goals.
For illustrative purposes only
Equity Focus Passive Portfolio
The Equity Focus Passive portfolio aims to grow the real (inflation adjusted) value of capital over the long-term, with a focus on utilising low-cost passive funds The portfolio will be largely invested in growth assets (e.g. equities and real assets), alongside a small allocation to defensive assets (e.g. bonds and absolute return funds). Typical investors in this portfolio are likely to have a dual mandate of long-term capital growth; alongside a desire to have a low cost portfolio of mostly passive funds. Investors are likely to have a high tolerance for risk and are willing to accept volatility akin to equity investing.
For illustrative purposes only
Reasoning by first principles; not by analogy
At Aspen, portfolios are created with a long-term view in mind. We have a disciplined investment process, based on core fundamentals:
ASSET ALLOCATION FOCUS
We believe that asset allocation forms the lion’s share of a portfolio return – operating a long-term (strategic) and short-term (tactical) asset allocation policy across our portfolios. This allows us flexibility, but retaining structure and risk controls.
Inflation protection
We embed inflation sensitive assets across portfolios, through a strategic allocation to real assets, looking to protect the real (inflation adjusted) value of investors’ capital.
EQUITY FACTOR TILT
We adopt factor based investing within equities – a proven systematic approach, seeking to generate excess returns. Within the equity portion of portfolios, we tilt to the following three factors:
Value – Stocks discounted relative to their fundamentals
Size – Smaller, high-growth companies
Quality – Financially healthy companies
Keep costs down
With a broad universe now available, we mostly use low cost passive funds to populate portfolios. Only using active managers where it is evident that value can be added, or to access an opportunity set not available through passive funds.
Investing responsibility
We have a dual role of acting responsibly as stewards of client assets and acting responsibly in the world that we invest. We have a proprietary ESG process ensuring we select suitable managers of underlying funds in which we invest.
"We have worked with Andrew since the inception of the Aspen MPS solution. We believe that they are well constructed and offer an alternative to the “big beasts” in the industry, at a very fair price. The satellite models offer excellent layered options for our clients. The key difference, to others in the marketplace, is the care given to client outcomes, with returns to date reflecting this."
Thematic investing, for more focus
Delivering financial returns; responsibly
As we only use third party funds in our managed portfolios – our approach to responsible investing is focused on assessing fund specific characteristics. Each fund is categorised into one of four possible responsible investment tiers, as shown below. Funds need to be categorised between tiers 1 to 3, to be included in our portfolios; with those in our responsible focused portfolios in tiers 1 and 2.
- ESG is integral to fund identity/key objective of the fund
- Clear evidence of promoting/investing into ESG themes (e.g. alignment to UN SDG’s)
- Engage with the underlying company management on ESG issues
- Article 9 of SFDR
- ESG factors are integral to the fund identity/key objectives
- Fund Management Company is a PRI Signatory
- At least Article 8 of SFDR
- The fund and/or the fund company have clear ESG policy
- Pursuing financial returns only
Aspen’s portfolios are currently available on the following platforms:
If your platform of choice is not listed above, please contact us and we can look into working with them.
If you would like any further information, please contact us
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Aspen is registered in England and Wales, with company number: 14115281. Aspen, through North Capital Management Limited, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with firm reference number 713442.