Atomos Investments Limited and Atomos Financial Planning Limited, collectively atomos, has comprehensive procedures in place in order to identify, monitor, manage and where applicable disclose conflicts of interest that may exist. The effectiveness of all these controls is monitored on an ongoing basis.
What is a conflict of interest?
Broadly speaking, a conflict of interest may arise where our corporate interests or a member of staff’s personal interest does or could conflict with a duty we have to a client.
To help us identify potential conflicts of interest we have considered a number of areas including:
-
circumstances where we could make a financial gain, or avoid a financial loss, at the expense of the client;
-
situations where we could have an interest in the outcome of a service provided to the client or of a transaction carried out on behalf of the client, which is distinct from the client's interest in that outcome;
-
where a financial or other incentive to favour the interest of one client or group of clients over the interests of another client or group of clients might arise
-
where we carry on the same business as a client; and
-
where we may or will receive from a person other than the client an inducement in relation to a service provided to the client, in the form of monies, goods or services, other than the standard commission or fee for that service.
Managing and Monitoring
Our employees undergo regular training and receive guidance where conflict situations arise. The management team are responsible for ensuring that their teams have robust controls in place to identify and manage risks which arise. We also have a conflicts register on which details of conflict situations are recorded as well as details of the controls which was put in place to mitigate potential issues. However, there may be rare occasions where we consider these arrangements are insufficient. In such circumstances it may be possible to disclose the conflict of interest to the client(s) in writing directly or, in the event of a severe conflict of interest, we may need to cease or decline to act for a client.
There are potential conflicts of interest due to the way the atomos businesses work together. We have highlighted these below, together with how we manage them:
1. Group funds
Atomos Investments Limited may invest in funds where it acts as fund manager. We define group funds as those where atomos has a 20% or more shareholding in the fund manager concerned or we manage the funds ourselves. All funds are strictly assessed for suitability of inclusion in discretionary funds or where providing advice. We will negotiate the fees payable by our clients for investment in atomos funds on a ‘stand alone’ basis and on the same commercial terms as for other funds invested.
Atomos Investments Limited and Atomos Financial Planning Limited directors may have personal holdings in atomos funds or shares. However, where such investments are price-sensitive the directors are subject to personal account dealing rules which do not permit them to deal contrary to unit holders’ or shareholders’ interests. Each director recognises that they have an ongoing legal, regulatory and professional obligation to disclose and manage any conflicts which arise from these appointments.
2. Group company services and referrals
As a restricted firm, Atomos Financial Planning Limited often recommends in-house funds and Atomos Investments Limited's discretionary or advised managed portfolios. Where in-house funds are used in these solutions, limits and controls have been set on the proportion that should be held.
On occasion, Atomos Investments Limited may be unable to advise a client, who has been taken on directly rather than referred by an intermediary, on his or her particular financial requirements since wider financial planning advice is required. In these instances we may recommend that they seek advice from a financial adviser. In the first instance we will introduce clients to Atomos Financial Planning Limited. Atomos Financial Planning Limited may recommend investments from the atomos product range for clients.