In today’s complex investment environment, financial planners are expected to wear many hats – portfolio manager, compliance officer, risk assessor, and trusted advisor. In our practice – and many others like ours – we’ve chosen to partner with discretionary fund managers (DFMs), also known as multi-managers, because doing so allows us to stay focused on the one role that truly matters: being there for our clients.
Because DFMs assume the technical responsibilities of portfolio construction and investment selection, we are able to focus our time and energy on understanding what truly drives our clients—what keeps them up at night, what their long-term hopes are, and how their finances can serve their life goals. Our job becomes less about charts and benchmarks, and more about meaningful conversations, big-picture thinking, and lifelong planning.
DFMs bring institutional-grade investment research and fund manager due diligence to the table—rigorous work that involves scrutinising manager philosophies, risk systems, governance, and consistency of performance. Because DFMs handle this intensive research process, we don’t need to spend hours assessing whether a particular fund meets certain metrics. Instead, we can sit across from a client and help them prioritise what matters most—whether that’s retiring early, funding a child’s education, or navigating a major life transition.
Because DFMs monitor markets daily and adjust asset allocation accordingly, we are not tied to the stress of short-term market noise. Their disciplined frameworks ensure our clients’ portfolios remain in line with their risk profile and objectives, while freeing us up to act as a sounding board for clients who may feel rattled by headlines or uncertain about whether to stay the course. Rather than reacting to markets, we’re responding to people.
Multi-managers also deliver access to institutional pricing and exclusive mandates through their relationships with asset managers. Because they negotiate better fee structures and access to specialist funds, we can confidently assure our clients that they are benefiting from cost-efficient investment solutions typically reserved for large institutional investors. This allows us to place the focus of our conversations where it belongs—not on performance comparisons, but on the long-term financial strategy that will get them where they want to be.
Because DFMs take on a significant portion of the regulatory and compliance responsibilities—particularly in relation to FAIS, FSCA, and risk governance—we no longer need to be bogged down by ever-changing regulatory frameworks. This shift allows us to invest our time in helping clients structure their affairs more holistically, plan for tax efficiency, and make smart decisions about estate planning, business succession, or retirement.
DFMs also bring powerful operational efficiency as they manage the technical work of portfolio rebalancing, fund switches, and strategic asset shifts, all with detailed audit trails and client reporting. Because they take care of this back-end complexity, we can direct more energy into what we see as the heart of our role: building deep, ongoing relationships with clients, and making sure that our advice remains deeply personal and truly aligned to their changing life stages.
DFMS provide structured, consistent investment strategies across client risk profiles, which allows us to ensure that each client receives a high-quality, suitable investment solution – without sacrificing personalisation. With a reliable investment backbone in place, we can tailor advice around other variables such as income needs, tax efficiency, and specific goals. This balance between consistency and customisation creates trust—and trust is the currency of any enduring advisor-client relationship.
Transparency is another area where DFMs add value. Their detailed reports and proactive updates help clients stay informed, reducing the mystery around investment performance. Because they communicate clearly and consistently, we can spend less time explaining mechanics and more time exploring life priorities—whether that’s exiting a business, helping ageing parents, or setting up legacy plans for the next generation.
Ultimately, our decision to partner with DFMs is not just a strategic investment call—it’s a relationship decision. Because DFMs handle the investment mechanics, we are able to show up fully for our clients, not as a fund selector or administrator, but as a financial guide and partner for the long haul. Our value doesn’t lie in stock picking; it lies in helping clients make smart, values-aligned choices over a lifetime.
By leveraging the investment expertise, risk management capabilities, compliance oversight, and operational efficiencies provided by DFMs, we are able to focus on our core role: partnering with clients through life’s financial transitions, helping them make informed decisions, and providing consistent, objective guidance during periods of uncertainty. While the DFM drives the investment engine, we are able to remain firmly at the helm of the client relationship—charting the course and ensuring every financial decision aligns with our clients’ long-term objectives.
Have a fantastic day.
Sue
