Investments

Are wise investors born or made?

You can be born with a natural instinct, although you do have to speculate to accumulate, from which you gain experience. However, as history has proven, few investments are secure.

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

The crash of 2008 has seen the emergence of some formidable entrepreneurs. Creative markets have flourished and the digital age is well and truly upon us.

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

Research, evaluate, execute, and review. Consider your own position. Should you need to draw down or access cash, can you do this with ease? How does this expose you?

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

Shares in the banking sector. This is something I would never have predicted to have crashed. The bulk of my personal ISA was in this sector.

What lessons did you learn from your worst investment?

To hold a balanced share portfolio! Don’t rest on the laurels of a traditional sector, look more deeply into the company and the market in which they operate. As a result of my loss, I opted out of the stock market and I have subsequently missed opportunities.

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

I would never suggest handsome returns to anyone, including myself! You have to be realistic and calculate the risk versus the returns. You mustn’t forget that it can work the other way round too, the higher the return you see, the higher the risk is likely to be.

What was the best piece of investment advice you’ve received?

You only live once, your time is your most precious asset; invest it wisely.