In accordance with our obligations to our clients, we seek to ensure that our clients are properly treated where there could be conflicts of interest.
What conflicts of interest could arise?
The nature of the financial services market is such that conflicts of interest can sometimes develop. Broadly, a conflict of interest is where the interests of a financial services firm are different to those of its clients or where discharging its duties to one client could make it difficult to comply with the duties owed to another client. Examples of situations where a conflict could arise in the course of our providing services include:
- Where we transact in investments in which the Directors or staff also deal or invest;
- Where we provide ongoing investment or administrative services in relation to products and services in which we also transact on behalf of clients (for example, managing asset of a fund in which your portfolio is invested);
- Where we transact on your behalf in investments in which we are also transacting on behalf of other clients;
- Where we have information as a result of acting for one customer which is relevant to services we provide to you but which we are not permitted to use or disclose as a result of duties of confidentiality;
- Where our Directors or staff act as directors of investments in which our clients may from time to time be invested.
How are conflicts managed?
Cantab Asset Management (‘Cantab’) has developed procedures and controls which are designed to identify and manage any conflicts that may arise. These procedures and controls are communicated to all relevant Directors and employees.
As part of these procedures, we maintain a record of identified potential conflicts. We regularly review our business to identify potential conflicts of interest and to assess whether we are taking appropriate steps to manage those that could have an adverse effect on clients. Formal reports are made to the Board.
There are specific policies and procedures on a) when and how Directors and employees are permitted to undertake Personal Account transactions b) the aggregation and allocation of deals and c) restrictions on the offering and receiving of gifts to or from clients and a ban on any gift that could be construed as an inducement.
We also consider the way in which our staff are remunerated in order to ensure that remuneration structures do not create a conflict between incentives given to our staff and our clients best interests.
Any client who wishes to receive further information on the Conflicts of Interest Policy should speak to the Compliance Officer.
Cantab is now part of the Canaccord Wealth Group. The Canaccord Conflicts Policy can be found on their Legal & Regulatory Information page.
Conflicts of Interest Register
VT Cantab ICVC
This open-ended OEIC is managed by Cantab and an investment management fee is paid by the OEIC to Cantab. The fee is set at a percentage of the funds under management in the OEIC and the percentage depends on the class of share held by the investor.
Moderated and Balanced Acc and Inc shares
A Class 0.5% pa – paid monthly
C Class 0.3% pa – paid monthly
Global Equity Acc and Inc shares
A Class 0.75% pa – paid monthly
C Class 0.5% pa – paid monthly
Z Class 0% pa
Cantab is careful to recommend suitable investments for clients and takes account of any Conflicts of Interest and discloses the same to clients through the client agreement and the suitability letters.