Investments

James Meysey-Thompson,

York branch manager at Hargreave Hale.

What was your best investment?

I believe in all of the investments I hold, both personally and for my clients. If I didn’t, they shouldn’t be in any portfolios I oversee.

Are wise investors born or made?

Both. There are a lucky few who have a natural aptitude for investing, but for the majority there is no substitute for time spent at the coal face.

Do you believe it’s become harder for entrepreneurs to make prudent investments since the crash of 2008?

A true entrepreneur will always find a way to make money in any environment, but lower interest rates and the current monetary policy environment have distorted the markets and asset class valuations, making it harder for all investors.

What advice would you give to entrepreneurs who are looking to make a major investment?

Look for honesty and intelligence in the management team that you are backing.

What’s the worst investment you’ve ever made?

In a personal capacity, I have lost money in a number of niche emerging market investments.

What lessons did you learn from your worst investment?

Never invest in a firm where the chain of communication between you and the management is too stretched.

Which sectors are most likely to offer handsome returns for business investors?

There will never be a shortage of demand for medical advancement, so the biotechnology sector is particularly attractive.