Walker Crips, the UK-based financial services group, has launched a discretionary portfolio service for advisors – a move which follows similar launches by several firms in the past year.

Walker Crips’ Actively Managed Portfolio Service is slightly different to many of the propositions to come onto the market since it offers direct investment in equities and bonds, alongside the more traditional collective scheme selection.

The “Ready to Invest” offering is also significantly larger than most of those which have been recently launched since it includes 20 possible portfolios within five risk profiles (defensive, cautious, intermediate, progressive and adventurous); many firms only offer four or five possibilities. Clients can also select a bespoke portfolio for a slightly higher fee.

“What makes us stand apart from other portfolio managers who offer ‘collectives only’ investment is that we can take advantage of our core expertise in direct equities and bonds,” said Paul Jordan, head of business development.

“AMPS offers IFAs and  investors a wider choice when compared with ‘collectives only’ portfolios; and with the key benefit that it has a more competitive Total Expense Ratio. Having consulted advisors about what they seek in a compelling discretionary management service, we believe AMPS meets many of their requirements.”

Outsourcing investment management to discretionary portfolio management services providers has been on the up among UK IFAs recently, because it allows them to spend more time with clients and obviates the need for exhaustive investment research. However, the UK regulator is due to issue a consultation paper on the issue which may cause firms and advisors to rethink their models. (To view an exclusive interview on this subject which ran yesterday click here.)