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Private markets and tax-efficient investing

Specialist investment opportunities beyond traditional markets.

Not every investment opportunity sits within public stock markets or traditional portfolio structures.

For some investors, private markets and tax-efficient investments can form part of a broader long-term wealth planning strategy – providing access to specialist investment opportunities, alternative sources of growth and solutions designed to support wider financial planning objectives.

At Mattioli Woods, our private markets and tax-efficient investment capabilities are designed for clients seeking a more sophisticated and diversified approach to investing, inheritance tax planning and long-term wealth structuring.

This includes access to:

Private equity investments
Venture capital opportunities
Growth capital strategies
AIM portfolios
Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS)
Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs)

Because some investment opportunities require a more specialist approach than traditional portfolio investing alone.

Private markets and tax-efficient investments can play an important role within wider wealth planning, but they require careful selection, governance and suitability assessment.

Amit Joshi

Managing Director of Wealth, Mattioli Woods

Understanding private markets and tax-efficient investing

Private markets and tax-efficient investments are typically designed for investors willing to accept higher levels of investment risk, reduced liquidity and longer investment horizons in pursuit of specialist growth opportunities or planning outcomes.

Unlike traditional public market investments, these solutions may provide access to:

Earlier-stage businesses
Specialist sectors
Alternative investment opportunities
Tax-efficient investment structures
Inheritance tax planning opportunities

These investments can form part of a diversified investment strategy for suitable investors, particularly where broader wealth planning and intergenerational planning considerations apply.

However, because these solutions are more specialist in nature, careful suitability assessment and professional advice remain essential.

Private market investing

Maven Capital Partners

Through Maven Capital Partners, qualifying investors can access specialist private market investment opportunities designed to provide exposure to businesses, sectors and growth opportunities not always available through traditional public markets.

This includes access to:

Private equity
Venture capital
Growth capital strategies
Alternative investments

Private market investing can provide exposure to earlier-stage and expanding businesses across a range of sectors, helping investors access opportunities that sit beyond traditional listed market investing.

The partnership with Maven Capital Partners provides Mattioli Woods clients with access to one of the UK’s leading private markets investment managers, with extensive experience in private equity, regional growth investing and tax-efficient investment solutions.

These investments are typically designed for investors with longer investment horizons who are comfortable accepting higher levels of investment risk, greater investment complexity and reduced liquidity in exchange for the potential for enhanced long-term growth opportunities.

Because private market investments are not traded daily in the same way as public market investments, careful selection, due diligence and ongoing oversight remain particularly important.

Explore Maven Capital Partners

The most compelling private market opportunities are often found beyond traditional public markets, where long-term investment, specialist expertise and active partnership can help ambitious businesses grow and evolve.

Ewan MacKinnon

CEO, Maven Capital Partners

Young professionals or students collaborating in a bright, contemporary co-working environment, displaying teamwork and productivity.

AIM portfolios and inheritance tax planning

AIM investment strategies

For some investors, AIM portfolios can form part of a broader inheritance tax and long-term wealth planning strategy.

Through Mattioli Woods Private Client – Bespoke, qualifying clients can access professionally managed AIM investment portfolios designed to provide exposure to Alternative Investment Market (AIM) companies while also considering potential Business Relief eligibility where appropriate.

These portfolios are actively managed and designed for investors who:

Are comfortable accepting higher levels of investment risk
Understand the additional volatility associated with smaller companies
Have longer investment horizons
Wish to explore inheritance tax planning opportunities

Because AIM investments involve smaller and growing businesses, investment values can be more volatile and investment risks materially higher than traditional large-cap equity investing.

Explore Private Client – Bespoke AIM investment strategies

Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS)

Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) are specialist investments designed to encourage investment into smaller and developing businesses.

For suitable investors, EIS investments may provide access to:

Income tax reliefs
Capital gains tax benefits
Potential inheritance tax advantages
Exposure to earlier-stage growth businesses

EIS investments are higher-risk investments and are generally designed for experienced or sophisticated investors with the ability to tolerate higher levels of investment risk and reduced liquidity.

Because tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and legislation can change, professional financial advice is essential.

Speak to an adviser about EIS investing

Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs)

Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) are publicly listed investment vehicles designed to invest in smaller and developing companies.

For suitable investors, VCTs may provide:

Tax-efficient income opportunities
Income tax reliefs
Diversified exposure to smaller businesses
Access to specialist growth opportunities

Like EIS investments, VCTs involve higher levels of investment risk and are generally designed for investors comfortable with greater volatility, longer investment horizons and reduced liquidity.

VCTs can form part of a broader diversified investment and tax planning strategy where appropriate.

Speak to an adviser about VCT investing

Risk and suitability considerations

Private market and tax-efficient investments are not suitable for every investor.

These investments can involve:

Higher levels of investment risk
Reduced liquidity
Greater investment complexity
Longer investment horizons
Higher levels of volatility
Potential changes to tax legislation and reliefs

Because of this, suitability assessment, diversification and ongoing oversight are particularly important when considering specialist investment solutions.

At Mattioli Woods, these investments are considered within the context of wider financial planning, investment objectives and individual client circumstances.

How private markets fit within wider wealth planning

Private market and tax-efficient investments are rarely considered in isolation. They are typically assessed as part of broader financial planning conversations involving:

Inheritance tax planning
Retirement planning
Wealth preservation
Intergenerational planning
Portfolio diversification
Long-term capital growth
Tax-efficient investing

This joined-up approach helps ensure specialist investment solutions remain aligned to wider financial priorities and long-term planning objectives.

Frequently asked questions

Are private market investments higher risk?

Yes. Private market investments typically involve higher levels of investment risk than traditional public market investing. Investment values can be more volatile, liquidity may be reduced and investments are often designed for longer-term investment horizons.

Are EIS and VCT investments suitable for everyone?

No. EIS and VCT investments are specialist higher-risk investments and are not appropriate for every investor. Suitability depends on factors such as financial circumstances, investment objectives, tax position, risk tolerance and investment experience.

Can AIM portfolios help with inheritance tax planning?

For qualifying investors, AIM portfolios may form part of a broader inheritance tax planning strategy through investments that may qualify for Business Relief, subject to legislation and individual circumstances.

Why are these investments considered alongside financial planning?

Private market and tax-efficient investments can have wider implications for tax planning, inheritance planning, liquidity needs and overall investment risk. As a result, they are typically considered within the context of broader financial planning advice rather than as standalone investments.

Start a conversation

Private markets and tax-efficient investments can provide access to specialist opportunities beyond traditional investing – but they require careful consideration, suitability assessment and ongoing oversight.

A Mattioli Woods adviser can help determine whether these solutions are appropriate within the context of your wider financial goals, investment strategy and long-term planning priorities.

Speak to an adviser about specialist investing

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