Investment Process

Standard Life Investments' investment process works and is the product of their 'Focus On Change' philosophy, which is applied consistently and ensures clients benefit from Standard Life Investments' insights at all times. A disciplined approach to their investment process is ensured by a robust organisational structure with sensible division of responsibilities.

A segregation of responsibility occurs between Client Fund Managers, who ensure that allocations between various asset classes move in line with our House View, and Asset Class Managers, who determine the construction of portfolios within each asset class. Thus, investment activity by Asset Class Managers is monitored by Client Fund Managers, to ensure portfolios are managed within the scope agreed with clients.

There are a number of key elements to Standard Life Investments' investment process:

Asset Allocation

The investment benchmark set by the client determines the strategic asset allocation of the fund. The Global Investment Group consider where markets are in their own cycles and determines the allocation of assets around the benchmark, between shares, bonds and other types of investment. This group is made up of senior investment professionals and is responsible for providing the overall strategic and tactical focus to the decision making process. This focus finds expression in the House View through which it is decided which asset classes are to be most favoured and least favoured in the construction of client investment portfolios.

Stock Selection

Portfolio Construction

Dealing