St. James’s Place (SJP) has expanded its multi-asset Polaris range with the addition of four risk-rated funds-of-funds.

The Polaris Multi-Index fund range, which will be available to SJP clients later this month, will use the firm’s active asset allocation capabilities and invest solely in index-tracking strategies.

Asset allocations will be actively managed by SJP’s in-house investment team led by chief investment officer, Justin Onuekwusi, with the lead fund managers, SJP director of portfolio management, Robin Ellis, and multi-asset portfolio manager, Hamish Gibberd, overseeing portfolio construction.

SJP has chosen State Street Investment Management to develop 14 underlying index tracking funds, which will form the building blocks of the new Multi-Index range.

Each of the Polaris Multi-Index funds is differentiated by its equity exposure, with Polaris Multi-Index 1 being the lowest-risk option at around 40 per cent equity allocation.

Polaris Multi-Index 2, 3, and 4 have equity allocations of around 60 per cent, 80 per cent, and 100 per cent respectively.

“This new range broadens our offering by giving clients and partners access to a wider selection of competitively priced solutions designed to support their long-term financial goals,” said SJP group investment director, Tom Beal.

“Some investors want to complement or diversify their active fund exposure, while others may prefer a more straightforward option.

“For many, cost is also a key factor, and index-trackers provide a lower-cost alternative. Our aim is to evolve our proposition, so it caters to the full spectrum of our clients’ needs.”

Onuekwusi added: “At SJP we believe in giving clients genuine choice and in building muti-asset solutions that stand the test of time. Polaris has been a great foundation, bringing together world-class managers with our own global asset allocation views, growing into one of the UK’s largest and most successful multi-asset ranges.

“But we can’t stand still. The launch of our new Polaris Multi-Index funds is the natural next step in the development of our product offering. We are applying the same investment discipline and medium-term active asset allocation views but now combining this with the efficiency of index-tracking to complement the existing multi-asset proposition.

“Alongside Polaris and InRetirement, the Multi-Index range represents our continued commitment to innovation, diversification, and resilience, ensuring our clients benefit from a proposition that is built to evolve with the world around us.”

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