Meet the Manager with Luke Hyde-Smith

In this edition of W1M's Meet the Manager series, William Dinning, Chief Investment Officer, speaks with Luke Hyde-Smith, Co-Head of Multi-Asset Strategies, about his career in investment management and his role at W1M. Luke shares how he entered the industry, the experiences that shaped his investment philosophy, and the principles that continue to guide his approach today.

The conversation explores the role alternative investments can play within client portfolios and Luke explains how these assets can help diversify portfolios, improve resilience and support long-term returns. The discussion also examines the growing opportunity in private markets and how investors can balance public and private assets within a broader investment strategy.

Luke reflects on some of the most common mistakes investors make, particularly the temptation to move to cash during periods of uncertainty. He highlights the importance of maintaining a long-term perspective, staying invested through market cycles and combining detailed investment research with an understanding of the wider economic and political landscape.

Key takeaways

• Alternative investments can strengthen portfolios: Real assets and absolute return strategies can provide diversification, inflation protection and additional resilience alongside traditional equities and bonds.
• Private markets offer compelling long-term opportunities: Luke discusses the growing importance of private equity, venture capital and private credit, and how they can complement public market investments.
• Discipline is key to investment success: Avoiding emotional reactions, remaining invested and taking a long-term view are among the most important factors in achieving successful outcomes

Glossary

Multi-Asset Investing - An investment approach that combines a range of asset classes, such as equities, bonds, property and alternatives, within a single portfolio. The aim is to balance risk and return while creating a more diversified investment strategy.

Alternative Investments - Investments that sit outside traditional equities and bonds. In the video, Luke discusses areas such as infrastructure, property, natural resources and absolute return strategies, which can help diversify portfolios and enhance resilience.

Absolute Return - A strategy that seeks to generate positive returns regardless of broader market conditions. Rather than tracking a benchmark, the focus is on delivering consistent returns over time while helping to reduce portfolio volatility.

Private Markets - Investments that are not publicly traded on stock exchanges, including private equity, venture capital and private credit.