Investing £400k for a good return - where to start?

[Maria8092]

Basically, due to a sudden passing I am due to inherit around £400k (after tax).... I'd like to invest this with a view to getting a good return on my investment in as reasonably short a time frame as possible... needless to say I've never had this sort of cash to even think about investing before so I don't really know where to start... what would people recommend? Where would you invest this sort of money if you could and what sort of return would you be looking at? I know its a bit open ended because you could say how long is a piece of string, but I'm just looking for some ideas...

Marking as also interested!

You'd need to make an appointment with an independent financial advisor

I'd like to invest this with a view to getting a good return on my investment in as reasonably short a time frame as possible

And when someone offers a solution to that, run a mile. There is no such thing, or we’d all do it.

Decent financial advisor. They’ll do a risk assessment and offer advice. I have mine do all my investments. We aim for 5% return. Last year was far higher. This year, looks like it will be a bit higher

What does 'good' look like for you? How involved do you want to be with managing the investment? How much risk do you want to take with it?

Pay for some proper advice.

to invest this with a view to getting a good return on my investment in as reasonably short a time frame as possible

This part jumped out at me as of course this is the one thing you can’t guarantee. You need to think about the following-

• how long are you willing to tie the money up
• what do you consider a good return?
• how does this sit in relation to your other investments, pension, cash savings etc?
• How old are you?
• what are your plans for the future- kids, property purchases, retirement etc?

Good heavens

Two words

Financial advisor

Definitely get professional advice from an IFA.
However be very aware of the impact their fees can have. With a pot that size, opt for a "one off" advice fee rather than an ongoing management charge of e.g. 0.5% as due to compound interest, percentage fees are way more expensive.
Finally watch out for fund platform charges. Some are >1% which again seriously erodes your potential long term growth (platforms like Vanguard charge 0.2% and over 10 years this is a significant saving)

Buy to let? Yield dependent

There are no get rich schemes, OP. Be very careful with it.

International Bonds - but yes you must go through an IFA.

This sum is large enough that I would take professional advice on this, it far exceeds the usual pension/ISA/Premium bonds suggestions.
But investing is for the long term, I would be worried at any scheme that promises a high return in the short term.

Why would you have 400K to play with and not spend a tiny fraction of it on professional financial advice?

Highly recommend the meaningful money podcasts if you are in the U.K. - will give you all the info you need.

Lucky Jim 4:25 Kempton Park

You need a IFA for that sum. Watch out for the fees and fees for stocks/funds. Also you may want to talk to a couple of IFAs and compare. Make sure they’re whole of market and aren’t choosing from their own limited selection of investments. As a rule of thumb, max out your tax free incentives eg ISAs and for any DC if you want to. Look at your pensions, SEIS/EIS, a bit of crypto, maybe property if you want to go down that route. Bond returns aren’t currently great so I wouldn’t bother right now. Diversifying is crucial. Remember run a mile if anyone advises you you will make big returns in a short period of time. It’s simply not true

Sorry, posted on wrong thread have asked for it to be deleted

Speak to an IFA for sure

If I was in your boat my gut reaction would be to divide it up into at least 3 things

Property / stocks and shares / bonds / pensions are all things to think about

How does one go about choosing an IFA?

Speak to 3, preferably get a recommendation

DO NOT use St James’s Place (they trade with different names so ask).

@Ringsender2

How does one go about choosing an IFA?

Local recommendations

@DillonPanthersTexas

Lucky Jim 4:25 Kempton Park

This stood out to me like others: “ I'd like to invest this with a view to getting a good return on my investment in as reasonably short a time frame as possible.”

Investing is often advised over as long a period as possible. What are your goals and why are you looking short-term? Do you have any debt, mortgage to pay? Do you already own property? How is your pension?

You don't want an IFA, with that amount you need an asset manager. Talk to somebody like Bordier & Cie.