Rathbones has a healthy interest in the education sector. 32% of charitable funds managed by Rathbones are in the educational sector and over the years we have undertaken various initiatives with schools.

A good example of this is in Liverpool where we continue to have close links with four local schools from diverse backgrounds to whom we provided intellectual capital and funding that acted as a springboard to the schools being able to raise additional funding themselves.

We are aware that there is a limited focus on financial guidance in mainstream education. This means that future generations are left exposed to the risks associated with anything from student debt, to unwise investments or lack of provision for retirement. We feel we have a social responsibility to try and fill this gap. As part of a long term initiative we are using our in house resource and expertise to run a number of financial awareness events both in our offices and in schools throughout 2012 and 2013.

At our most recent events, over 50 of Rathbones’ clients’ children and grandchildren attended financial awareness mornings on 11 and 12 April.

Young people aged 16 to 24 were hosted by three of our investment managers – Tim Eliot-Cohen, Simon Heathcoat-Amory and Graham Withers. Tim presented a thought provoking session on the preservation of capital, highlighting the financial pitfalls of not preparing for a rainy day. Tim kept the group on their toes posing questions and throwing in jelly beans – literally! Each attendee calculated their required annual income in today’s terms when they retired and then the capital sum required to provide this income. This worked out to be a staggering £4 million in many cases!

Simon followed Tim’s presentation on asset classes focusing on residential property, commercial property and income stability. Finally, Graham took the delegates on a whistle-stop journey of defining investment objectives and portfolio management. The group then broke off into three smaller groups and discussed how to select the company stocks to invest in for a fictional £100,000 portfolio.

Each of the attendees presented their investment idea to their group with the support of their team leader. The attendees will now go on and play a share game and at the end of the three month period the winner will receive a brand new iPad.

Alexander Nugee who attended the financial awareness morning on 12 April
"I would like to thank everyone at Rathbones for a great event.  My sister and I did not have a great understanding of wealth investment before the event, but now understand a great deal more."

He went on to say, "the event was very well targeted towards our age group and the event was very well set up.  I personally found the subject very interesting and am considering applying for the graduate scheme in two years time"

Future Financial Awareness Afternoons

Rathbones will be hosting two further financial awareness events in our Liverpool (October 2012) and London (September 2012) offices. The events will be aimed at students aged 16 to 24. If you would like to reserve a provisional place for a family member who fits the age criteria we would be delighted to hear from you. Please email: Amanda.crook@rathbones.com or call Amanda on 020 7399 0088.

London
To be held at
1 Curzon Street in September.
There will be 25 places available.

Liverpool
To be held at
The Port of Liverpool Building in October.
There will be 25 places available.

Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.