Testimonials
Alzheimer's Society
"From the outset Paul was very proactive in his assignment for the Alzheimer’s Society, which was to guide us through the complexities of an investment manager beauty parade. Paul has an extensive knowledge of the charity sector, and knows the charity investment management firms in depth. He conducts regular updates with their key personnel and was able to provide an independent and well-researched appraisal of each investment firm.
Paul’s experience as both a trustee and investment committee member helps in giving him a good understanding of the investment needs of individual charities and what they should expect from their investment managers. Paul showed a full appreciation of Alzheimer’s Society current situation and goals, and provided very helpful advice throughout the process, including during the short listing.
Paul played a key role in the final part of the tender process and proved to be invaluable in helping us make the final decision as to the choice of investment manager."
Robert Butler,
Director of Corporate Services,
Alzheimer’s Society
Royal Voluntary Service
“Having been out of the financial markets since the early days of the Covid pandemic it was decided that we were ready to reinvest. A selection process was run which led to Paul’s appointment as a subject matter expert to help guide us through the process of refreshing our investment policy and then the selection of an investment manager.
We have now completed that process and Paul has provided excellent support, including helping the Board with the policy aspects as well as managing the beauty parade process.”
Chris Hoult,
Director of Finance,
Royal Voluntary Service
Vaughan Williams Foundation
"VWF is a charity that commenced operations on 1st January 2023 being the result of the merger of two existing charities both of whom had separate investment managers. We are a grant making charity and post 2028 we will be totally reliant on our investment income.
We engaged Paul in May 2023 to fully manage the process in determining one firm of investment managers to look after our investments. Initially he assisted in drafting our investment policy. He then started with a long list of potential managers which we whittled down to four. He wrote to the four firms inviting them to complete a tender document which was very detailed. He facilitated the whole beauty parade process including being present on the day and ensuring the process was well ordered and structured. He gave us, the members of the charity attending, clear insight into all four firms without ever influencing our decision. We were all given a scoresheet to assist us and we came to a unanimous conclusion. Paul was very well versed in carrying out this type of exercise. He asked pertinent questions of the firms attending and remained totally professional throughout. Overall we were so pleased to have Paul carry out such a key exercise for us.
I would happily recommend Paul to any charity looking to review their investment managers."
Bernie Watson FCA DChA,
Honorary Treasurer,
Vaughan Williams Foundation
Keech Hospice Care
“We engaged Paul in May 2022 to help the charity with its first foray into investing with a fund manager. Paul helped to shape our investment policy, provided invaluable guidance to the Trustees and the Senior Leadership Team and made recommendations on a number of investment firms to attend a beauty parade. At the beauty parade Paul provided clear and concise insight which allowed the Investment Committee to make an informed decision on our investment strategy and the selection of our fund manager. Paul made himself available throughout the process for ad-hoc queries and both the Trustees and Senior Leadership Team were impressed with his knowledge, independence and professionalism. I would have no hesitation in recommending Paul and we are now extending our engagement to include ongoing monitoring of our investments.”
Rob Davies,
Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services,
Keech Hospice Care
SPCK Group
“Paul came on board and provided SPCK and the board with expert and knowledgeable understanding of the charity’s investment portfolio. Paul led in appraising the performance of our existing investment managers and advised our trustees of the level of performance we should expect from our investment portfolio. The charity had four investment managers incorporating several portfolios. It was concluded that we needed to appoint one investment manager and refresh the charity’s investment policy.
Paul was instrumental in achieving the following objectives:
-
Update of ‘Statement of Investment Principles’
-
Managing the tender process
-
Organising and running the beauty parade
-
Providing expert advice to the Audit Committee & Senior Management
Paul was present on the day of the beauty parade and his support on the day was vital in assisting in making the decision on which investment manager to appoint.
Paul was very professional, clear, provided expert but understandable advice to trustees and senior management throughout the process. We recommend Paul and his services for similar work with other charities.”
Anthony Brown,
Finance Director,
SPCK Group
Leeds Women's Aid
“Paul was recommended to Leeds Women’s Aid by a trusted consultant to advise us on potential investments, how to devise a statement of investment principles and a cash management solution designed for the charity sector. His considerate and pragmatic approach was excellent for a non-financial professional and he advised me on a range of options that would be helpful to us, and our specific set of circumstances. He provided information and support to the treasurer and the Board, who were delighted with the outcomes in order to reduce risk and improve security of finances. It was a pleasure working with Paul and I would have no hesitation in recommending him.”
Nik Peasgood,
Chief Executive,
Leeds Women's Aid
Alcohol Change UK
"Paul provided Alcohol Change UK with four related services:
-
Helping our board and leadership team to develop a new investments policy and strategy which was both more ethical and a better match to our strategic context
-
Supporting the process of going out to tender for, and appointing, new investment managers, in line with out new policy and strategy
-
Supporting the process of transferring from our old to new investment managers
-
Providing short, expert input at meetings of our Finance Audit investment and Risk sub-committee meetings on an ongoing basis.
Paul was, at all times, clear, expert, and knowledgeable. He balanced the drive and forward momentum needed to keep the process moving with the need to take all of the board and leadership team with us. He offered just the right level of input – neither too directive, nor too passive. I would definitely recommend him for similar work to other charities."
Dr Richard Piper,
CEO,
Alcohol Change UK
The Forrester Family Trust
“Paul was extremely helpful in conducting a review of the performance of our existing investment managers and advising our trustees of the level of performance we should expect going forward. Once we had decided that we wished to appoint new managers he arranged a “beauty parade” of potential candidates who met the criteria we had chosen. Paul joined us on the day and his expertise was crucial in helping us make a vital decision for the future of our Trust. Paul’s greatest strength was his ability to ensure that our trustees, not all of whom have financial experience, felt confident about the whole process and the decision they were able to reach with his guidance. We hope to continue to call upon Paul’s expertise in the future.”
Adrian Hollands FCA
The Forrester Family Trust.
St. Barnabas / Chestnut Tree Hospices
"The Trustees and Finance Committee were most impressed with Paul’s experience, knowledge and straightforward talk in respect to risk profiling, running a beauty parade, review and update of ‘Statement of Investment Principles’ in addition to some strategic advice about responsible investing and aligning policies.
The whole project was executed very professionally, which provided considerable ‘peace of mind’ for the Trustees and Senior Management Team. We would not hesitate to recommend Paul and his services to any charity going through a similar process."
Max Caunhye,
Finance Director,
St. Barnabas / Chestnut Tree Hospices (Sussex)
The National Almshouse Association
"The investment affairs of the National Almshouse Association had evolved over many years and had grown into a complex cocktail of different investments. The Association’s investments included a plethora of different investment managers, incorporating several portfolios as well as pooled funds and cash investments. There was not a coherent investment policy and it was difficult to gain a holistic view of the Charity’s investments.
Paul came into the Association and reviewed the existing portfolios, made some sensible suggestions, assisted us with our strategy and provided us with a list of potential investment managers. Paul’s thoughtful, methodical and sensible approach helped steer the Association through a relatively complex situation and helped us reach a streamlined and comprehensive investment strategy. Paul was very clear and concise in his advice and he produced a short list of prospective investment managers which included key statistics and comparative information on performance, service, income and fees.
Paul arranged and marshalled the beauty parade, providing a score card and useful advice. In our case we the board of four people came to a split decision and Paul very skilfully and carefully guided us through the complexities of reaching an agreed result; which we duly came to.
The Almshouse Association would have no hesitation in recommending Paul Mitchell Investment Reviews to any prospective charity looking to review their investments."
Willie Hartley Russell MVO DL,
Vice Chairman,
The National Almshouse Association
British and Foreign Bible Society
“The British and Foreign Bible Society engaged Paul Mitchell to advise on the selection of a new Investment Manager. Paul presented a short list of 5 potential investment managers, all of whom had been carefully researched and analysed by Paul personally. This enabled us to run a highly efficient selection process, guided by Paul, leading to a successful appointment.
We were deeply impressed by Paul’s experience, knowledge and hands-on approach which we were able to leverage so effectively. Paul tailored his approach around our requirements and it was so refreshing to be guided by someone who truly understood us.
I would whole-heartedly recommend Paul to any organisation looking to appoint an investment manager."
Paul Bosson,
Treasurer & Trustee,
British and Foreign Bible Society
The Rowans Hospice
“Before we went out to tender we didn’t appreciate the full extent of the information asymmetry between a charity and their investment managers, Paul helped us overcome this.
Paul provided training, helped us write a new Investment Policy and provided expert analysis throughout the tender process, which supported Trustees in their decision making and the selection of the most suitable investment manager.”
Ruth White,
Chief Executive,
The Rowans Hospice
Quakers in Britain
"Paul worked with us, facilitating two workshop sessions with our Finance and Property Committee to support them in their consideration of Britain Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)’s investment policy. His comments on the advice given and approach of our current investments were very helpful. He also pushed the committee to assess and articulate both its willingness to take risk (‘attitude to risk’) and ability to take risk (‘risk capacity’)."
Lisa Kiew,
Head of Finance and Resources,
Quakers in Britain
PRS Members' Fund
"From the moment the trustees decided to review our investments, Paul Mitchell’s support proved invaluable. He completely understood our requirements, analysed the investment proposals we received and was an integral part of the interviews with prospective managers. Working with Paul was a pleasure. His knowledge and quality of reporting to the trustees at every stage was second to none."
John Logan,
General Secretary,
PRS Members' Fund
The Eaton Fund
"We engaged Paul to help us arrange our investments to meet an increasing demand from our beneficiaries. Paul listened to us and understood the issues we faced. He guided us to revise our Statement of Investment Policy and select a new investment manager. Paul made the process straightforward. He prepared thoroughly for the selection interviews by researching five candidates, and he was on hand throughout to give advice. We appointed a new manager and are confident that we made an informed decision.
We needed someone who understands the needs of charities and the world of investment management; someone who could help us negotiate a fair deal. Paul ably met this brief and we are happy to recommend him to other charities."
Dr Stephen Kane,
Chairman,
The Eaton Fund