Insights
By: Singa Gunqisa
Navigating the Wealth Landscape – strategies for success
My passion for investments was first sparked by the excitement around Mega Cap stocks. When I graduated in 2008 during the Global Financial Crisis, my interest in what we now know as the ‘Magnificent 7’ fuelled my curiosity about stock market investing and what a great recession meant for the global economy. It kept me glued to the news and financial publications and the jargon and buzzwords I was reading only added to my interest.
Time in the market beats timing the market. At any given time in world history, there are always problems and risks. At the moment, investors are contending with many issues, including higher interest rates, inflation spikes creating ongoing cost of living crises, growing geopolitical tensions and deglobalisation. They all confirm the fact that there is no perfect time to invest. As investors, our key role is to keep a balanced perspective: help our clients to see the present clearly and act in their best interests.
Investing for families requires a holistic approach to wealth management. Adopting this investment perspective was an adjustment from my previous role as a research analyst in buy side Asset Management. Working with Stonehage Fleming’s growing and dynamic client base presented a new sort of challenge. We draw on all the practical wisdom built over several generations and use our global network of experts to find solutions for our clients.
The shift to digital platforms is a huge trend for family offices. Increasingly, families expect a personalised client experience through data analytics, incorporating the full range of investments from private capital to traditional asset classes. Our experience tells us that leaders of wealthy families also want to deal with real human beings who genuinely understand their needs and advance them from their current situation towards their desired goals. Above all, our clients crave peace of mind amid a fast-paced, changing world. They appreciate support from a team of professionals who are genuine, trustworthy and who are experts in their fields.
Singa is a Portfolio Manager within the Stonehage Fleming Investment Management team in South Africa, and is responsible for the implementation and active management of clients’ investment portfolios in Johannesburg.