Albion Ventures - Albion Development VCT D Shares
Share
Albion Ventures - Albion Development VCT D Shares
Type: Venture capital trust
Aim: Income and growth by investing in smaller unquoted asset backed and high growth companies in the UK
Minimum investment: Lump sum £5,000
Charges: Initial 5.5%, annual 2.25%
Closing date: April 5, 2010 for 2009/10 tax year, April 30, 2009 for 2010/11 tax year
Commission: Initial 3%, or initial 2.5% plus renewal 0.25% for four years
Tel: 020 7601 1850
The Albion development venture capital trust, formerly the Close development VCT, aims for income with the potential for growth by investing in a portfolio of unquoted asset backed and high growth companies.
TaylorFrost Wealth Management managing director Keith Taylorsays that a number of his clients are doctors and dentists, so a generalist VCT that invests in healthcare and pharmaceutical companies has resonance for them.
Looking at the positives of the VCT, Taylor says: “One of the key issues for TaylorFrost when looking at VCTs is the experience and size of the investment management team. The expertise of the Albion team, led by Patrick Reeve, goes back to the introduction of VCTs in the 1990s and is of a size that is able to handle strong deal flow.”
Taylor likes Albion’s investment strategy, which is divided between lower-risk assets and higher-risk ventures. “There is a focus on longer-term investing for capital returns and the delivery of a dividend stream,” he says.
Taylor says the VCT aims to produce a regular and predictable source of dividend income, with the prospect of long-term capital growth. “Investments will be made into a portion of businesses which are lower risk, often with freehold or long-leasehold property as their major asset, although other asset types may be considered.
“Many will be in property-intensive businesses in the leisure sector. The VCT will also invest in stable and profitable businesses in sectors such as business services and healthcare, some of which may be asset-backed.”
Taylor notes the higher-risk growth portfolio investments will include a smaller number of unquoted companies with greater growth prospects in sectors such as information and medical technology or services.
“Investments will be selected for their growth prospects and will be unlikely to have external borrowings. These are features we like.”
Looking at the weaker aspects of the VCT, Taylor mentions an omission in the literature. He says: “The prospectus does not explicitly state running costs are capped. We understand from Patrick Reeve that running costs will be capped at 3.5 per cent a year.”
Discussing the main competition, mentions Octopus, Foresight and ProVen. Taylor also likes the Acuity environmental VCT, but this is not in direct competition with Albion Ventures.
Summing up, Taylor points out that with around £200m under management, Albion has already returned over £103m to investors, including over £80m in dividends. “This is a compelling number. We understand that this is more in dividends than any other VCT provider. Given dividends are tax-free, our clients are very motivated by such payouts and like the prospect of more of the same in future years.”
BROKER RATINGS
Suitability to market: Good
Investment strategy: Good
Charges: Average
Adviser remuneration: Average
Overall 9/10
If you enjoyed this article, sign up here to receive daily email updates from Money Marketing and Follow @_moneymarketing
