Thinking About Changing Your Utmost Adviser?
Russell Hammond
Chartered Financial Planner & Chartered Investment Adviser · FPFS FCSI
In this article
A portfolio that was appropriate several years ago may not necessarily remain appropriate today. A second opinion can provide clarity and ensure your bond continues to support your long-term objectives.
Key takeaways
- Keep the bond, upgrade the advice: Changing your appointed adviser for an Utmost International bond is typically straightforward and doesn’t require replacing or surrendering the bond itself.
- Lower your investment costs: A professional review often reveals opportunities to swap expensive, actively managed funds for lower-cost alternatives, significantly reducing your annual fees.
- Adapt to your current life stage: Your financial situation has likely changed since the bond was established; your investment strategy must be updated to reflect your current retirement or estate planning goals.
- Transparent second opinion: A complimentary, no-obligation assessment can give you clarity on whether your Utmost bond is performing optimally and remains aligned with your plans.
Thinking About Changing Your Utmost Adviser?
If you hold an Utmost International investment bond and feel that your existing advice relationship is no longer meeting your expectations, it may be worth seeking a fresh perspective.
Many investors established their bond several years ago, often whilst living overseas or working with an adviser they have since lost contact with. Others continue to receive periodic reviews but are unsure whether their investments, charges and overall strategy remain appropriate.
A second opinion can provide clarity and help ensure that your bond continues to support your long-term financial objectives.
Common Reasons Investors Seek a New Adviser
People typically contact me when:
- Their adviser has retired or moved firms
- Communication has become infrequent
- hey have returned to the UK and require UK-regulated advice
- They are concerned about portfolio performance
- They suspect they may be paying unnecessary charges
- Their investments have not been reviewed for a considerable period
- They would like an independent assessment of their existing arrangements
Can You Change Adviser on an Utmost Investment Bond?
Yes.
Many investors are unaware that it is often possible to appoint a new adviser to an existing Utmost International investment bond without surrendering the policy.
This means you can continue to benefit from the existing tax structure of the bond whilst receiving fresh advice, a new investment strategy and ongoing support from a different adviser.
In many cases, changing adviser is a straightforward process that requires only the completion of the relevant adviser appointment paperwork.
Do You Need To Replace The Bond?
Not necessarily, and not normally.
In many situations, the Utmost bond itself remains a perfectly suitable structure. The issue is often not the bond, but rather the underlying investment selection or the level of service being provided.
A review may reveal opportunities to improve investment efficiency, strengthen diversification or reduce ongoing costs whilst retaining the existing bond and its associated tax benefits.
Real Example: Improving Efficiency Within an Existing Bond
I was recently approached by an investor holding approximately £1 million within an offshore bond.
The portfolio consisted largely of higher-cost actively managed funds, resulting in ongoing fund expenses of around 1.75% per annum.
Following a comprehensive review, we redesigned the portfolio using a globally diversified investment approach built around lower-cost funds.
This reduced underlying investment costs to approximately 0.33% per annum whilst also addressing several structural issues within the portfolio.
The changes resulted in:
Lower ongoing investment costs
- Improved diversification across global markets
- Reduced overlap between fund holdings
- A clearer investment strategy
- Better long-term expectations for net returns after fees
Naturally, no adviser can guarantee future performance. However, controlling costs and improving portfolio construction are among the few factors investors can directly influence.
Has Your Bond Kept Pace With Your Circumstances?
Investment bonds are often held for many years.
During that time, personal circumstances can change significantly.
You may have:
• Returned to the UK
• Retired or be approaching retirement
• Received an inheritance
• Sold a business
• Experienced changes in tax residency
• Developed new income or estate planning objectives
A portfolio that was appropriate several years ago may not necessarily remain appropriate today.
What A Professional Review Can Help Identify
A review of your Utmost bond may help determine:
• Whether your investment strategy remains suitable
• Whether your current charges are competitive
• If there are unnecessary layers of cost
• Whether the portfolio is properly diversified
• Opportunities to improve tax efficiency
• Whether you are receiving appropriate ongoing service and support
Sometimes the outcome is simply reassurance that everything is working as intended. Equally, it may uncover opportunities that could enhance your long-term financial position.
My Investment Philosophy
As a Chartered Financial Planner and Chartered Investment Adviser, I help UK residents and internationally mobile families manage investments, pensions and wealth planning arrangements.
My focus is on building robust, globally diversified portfolios that are aligned with each client’s objectives, risk tolerance and time horizon. By combining disciplined portfolio construction with cost-efficient investments, the aim is to maximise the proportion of returns retained by the investor whilst avoiding unnecessary complexity.
Every client situation is different, which is why I take the time to understand your objectives, existing arrangements and wider financial circumstances before making any recommendations. Whether the priority is long-term growth, retirement income, capital preservation or legacy planning, the investment strategy should support your overall financial goals rather than operate in isolation.
This approach has helped many clients reduce unnecessary costs, improve diversification and gain greater confidence in how their wealth is being managed.
Complimentary Utmost Bond Review
If you hold an Utmost International investment bond and are considering changing adviser, or would simply value an independent second opinion, I offer a complimentary initial review.
The review can cover:
• Your current investment holdings
• Portfolio structure and diversification
• Investment costs and charges
• Tax planning considerations
• Retirement income objectives
• Whether your existing arrangements continue to represent good value
There is no obligation to make any changes.
The purpose of the review is to help you better understand what you currently have and whether there may be opportunities to improve it.
If you have not reviewed your Utmost bond recently, or are questioning whether your current advice arrangement remains right for you, now may be an excellent time to obtain an independent assessment.
Click here to arrange your complimentary Utmost investment bond review or schedule an initial discussion.
Disclaimer: This is general information only. Investments can fall as well as rise and past performance is not a guide to future returns. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future.
Does your Utmost bond need a second opinion?
If this article has prompted any questions about the costs, performance, or suitability of your Utmost International bond, we are happy to provide an independent, fee-based assessment.
No obligation. Initial conversation is free. FCA regulated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to replace my Utmost bond to get a better portfolio?
No, in most cases the Utmost bond wrapper itself is perfectly suitable. The underlying investments can simply be restructured by a new adviser to reduce costs and improve diversification.
How difficult is it to change my Utmost adviser?
The process is usually very straightforward and only requires completing the relevant adviser appointment paperwork to authorise the change.
What are the main benefits of reviewing my Utmost bond?
A professional review ensures your charges are competitive, your portfolio is properly diversified across global markets, and that you're maximizing the tax-efficiency of the bond wrapper for your current residency status.
How do you charge for managing an Utmost bond?
We operate as a fee-based, Chartered firm. We are 100% transparent about our fees, take no hidden commissions from funds, and do not lock clients in with exit penalties. Our success is directly aligned with yours.
CharteredRussell Hammond FPFS FCSI
Chartered Financial Planner & Chartered Investment Adviser
With over 20 years advising on offshore investment structures and long-term wealth planning, Russell works with individuals and families who want their wealth to work harder and pass further. He holds the Chartered Financial Planner designation from the Chartered Insurance Institute.
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