Onside Issue 1 - Spring/Summer 2014 - 4

ONSIDE / TEAM PROFILE

The Leading of Liverpool
Seneca Investment Managers in Liverpool is the latest addition to the Seneca Group.
A multi-asset investment business providing a unique way of working and engaging with investors.
Michael Taylor introduces the chief executive Stuart Eaton and chairman David Warnock

ake your coat off, pull up a
chair, we've got the kettle on
and we are happy to have you
pop in for a chat.
That's not the usual welcome you'd
get from a fund manager. But it's at
the heart of the relationship Stuart
Eaton wants to create with Seneca
Investment Managers, running four
funds with an experienced investment
team in Liverpool.
"We've looked at what's different
about this business and for us it's
important that the team managing
their clients money is accessible,"
he says.
"It is a fantastic foundation on which
to grow. The funds are quite low risk
funds, so I think the environment now
will hopefully play a bit more to their
type of skill."
Stuart is a strong believer in
understanding themes in the economy
and the stock market. "Picking stocks
is important, but we're also a provider
of ideas. We need to build thematic
investing into the business."
The philosophy of the business is
as simple as it gets - to increase the
wealth of the clients by accumulating
capital or paying dividends, without
taking undue risks.
The team keep their investments
highly liquid and spread across a range
of assets. It reduces risk and plays to
the strengths of the managers who
analyse the market and thoroughly
research economic and social trends
on a daily basis.
Another important factor has been
the appointment of David Warnock
as chairman of Seneca Investment
Managers. "David is one of the most
recognised people in the industry and
it is a real coup to have him on-board.

"Our goal is to turn Seneca
Investment Managers into a leading
brand within UK financial services and
his experience, expertise and contacts
will certainly make that a lot easier to
achieve," says Stuart.
David Warnock co-founded
Aberforth Partners, retiring from the
group in 2008 after 19 years. Before
that he worked at Ivory &
Sime for four years and 3i.

But he is also excited about the
possibility of creating something very
special and unique in the entire UK
fund management market - a dedicated
team with an open door policy based
in a thriving northern English city.
It's more than just having a cosy
demeanor, it's about creating a
relationship with clients.
"There are a lot of things we can do
to improve communication with IFAs
and directly with clients. We don't
want to be selling these funds off the

back of a bus, but we have a good
idea of who our clients and future
customers are. We want to make it a
simple and enjoyable process for them
to invest and then have that comfort
that we can secure a good return for
them."
He's also excited about facilitating
meetings between the team and
investors on a regular basis.
"By virtue of where the team has
been based, it's not been core and yet
they've provided some sterling results."
"This is a heavyweight, significant
team who know how to run a fund
management business."
Jon Moulton, who rose to fame
with Alchemy Partners before leaving
to set up Better Capital has taken a
"significant minority shareholding"
through his family office, Perscitus
Advisers.
Jon said: "Seneca Investment
Managers is a firm with a huge amount
of upside potential. Under Stuart
Eaton's leadership, I have no doubt
that an already successful fund
management team will go from
strength to strength. We have a lot
planned for the new company and are
backing it to become a major force
within UK financial services."
Stuart Eaton added:"For someone of
the calibre of Jon Moulton to invest in
Seneca Investment Managers suggests
that our vision for the company is on
the right track.
"Seneca Investment Managers is not
simply about offering a more holistic
proposition to our existing clients but
building a challenger brand in the
broader UK fund management sector."

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Onside Issue 1 - Spring/Summer 2014