61. How to choose a VCT or EIS fund with Ewoud Karelse of Evelyn Partners

We've spoken a lot about tax advantaged investing, but how should an investor choose which VCT or EIS fund to give their money to? Ewoud Karelse is one of the long-standing analysts in the tax-advantaged market and has immense experience of looking at these products. In this episode, he discusses what to look at giving a wealth of tips. Essential listening for investors, IFAs and even providers who want to know how to improve their products!

We start off with Ewoud emphasising the primacy of investor needs, especially where they have specific requirements. This leads onto discussing VCTs. We dig into the different dividend policies and how to look at their sustainability. We also talk about discount policies and how relevant they are.

We follow this up by looking at factors that VCTs and EIS have in common. We talk about teams, what experience and how big they need to be. We discuss expenses, some of the different ways that they are charged and the debates around them. We also look at diversification and more.

Links

Evelyn Partners - https://o2hventures.com/

Subscribe to the EIS Navigator podcast on most services here: https://the-eis-navigator.captivate.fm/listen

Suggested books:

Malazan Book of the Fallen (10 books) by Steven Erikson

First one - Gardens of the Moon

Bio

Ewoud Karelse

Product Specialist, Evelyn Partners

Ewoud started his career in financial services with Allenbridge in 2000 and joined Towry Law in 2008 before joining Tilney in 2016, and Evelyn Partners in 2022. Ewoud is responsible for the research and selection of Venture Capital Trusts; (Seed) Enterprise Investment Schemes; Business Relief for Inheritance Tax Planning (AIM and non-AIM), and Social Investment Tax Relief products. He is also well versed in the use of Business Investment Relief for International clients.