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Hawksmoor Investment Management
Founded in 2007 by a team that included veteran UK fund manager John Crowley, Hawksmoor carved out a niche serving the discretionary investment needs of...
Hawksmoor Investment Management
Founded in 2007 by a team that included veteran UK fund manager John Crowley, Hawksmoor carved out a niche serving the discretionary investment needs of UK-based financial intermediaries. The firm was shaped by the post-RDR world, where independent financial advisers increasingly outsourced investment management to specialists rather than constructing portfolios themselves. This gave Hawksmoor a stable, if concentrated, distribution channel through planners, solicitors, and accountants predominantly in the South West. Hawksmoor's strategy is anchored in multi-asset portfolio management, spanning direct equities, fixed income, and collective funds. Its flagship Vanbrugh fund, managed by Daniel Lockyer, combines global equities with bonds, direct property, and infrastructure to target steady real returns — a construction that acts more like a private-client balanced mandate than a peer-group benchmark-hugger. Alongside Vanbrugh, the firm runs distribution-focused OEICs and bespoke managed portfolio services, tilting toward quality small- and mid-cap UK equities and convertible bonds. The geographic remit is primarily UK-centric, with global equity exposure accessed via third-party funds rather than stock-by-stock overseas selection. The firm operates from a single base in Exeter, where a team structured around fund management, operations, and client service supports a network of intermediary relationships. While total assets under management are not publicly disclosed by Hawksmoor as a private company, the firm's funds sit on platforms used by thousands of UK adviser firms. In 2022, Hawksmoor extended its model portfolio service reach by partnering with additional platform providers to broaden distribution beyond its existing IFA relationships. Hawksmoor's structural profile reflects a peculiarly British advisory asset-management trend: regional firms that act as outsourced CIOs for planners who lack in-house investment resource. Unlike London-centric discretionary fund managers chasing national brand recognition, Hawksmoor remains embedded in a geographical and professional-services ecosystem where trust flows through local solicitor and accountant networks. This makes the firm a quiet but persistent allocator of assets within the UK wealth-management plumbing, rather than a headline-seeking institutional player.
General information
Firm type
Generalist
Year founded
2007
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
City
Exeter
Corporate office
Exeter, United Kingdom
Principals
John Crowley
Chief Executive Officer
Daniel Lockyer
Senior Fund Manager
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Hawksmoor?
CEO John Crowley oversees the firm's strategic direction, while Senior Fund Manager Daniel Lockyer has day-to-day responsibility for the Vanbrugh fund, the firm's most prominent multi-asset vehicle. Investment decisions are made by an internal team rather than delegated to external managers, giving the Exeter-based group centralised control over asset allocation and stock selection within its strategies.
How does Hawksmoor source its clients?
Hawksmoor's primary distribution channel is UK financial intermediaries — independent financial advisers, solicitors, and accountants. The firm does not market directly to retail investors. Its funds appear on adviser platforms, and its managed portfolio service is designed for planners seeking to outsource investment management for their end-clients.
What is the Vanbrugh fund, and how is it structured?
The Vanbrugh fund is Hawksmoor's flagship multi-asset OEIC, managed by Daniel Lockyer with a mandate to deliver real returns through a blend of global equities, fixed income, direct UK property, and infrastructure. It operates with a flexible asset allocation rather than tracking a fixed benchmark, functioning similarly to a balanced private-client mandate adapted for the fund-of-funds and adviser platform market.
Does Hawksmoor manage bespoke portfolios or only commingled funds?
Hawksmoor manages both. Its commingled OEIC range includes the Vanbrugh fund and other equity-focused vehicles, while its managed portfolio service provides bespoke discretionary model portfolios tailored to adviser firm specifications. This dual structure allows intermediaries to choose between off-the-shelf fund solutions and customised portfolio overlays.
What is Hawksmoor's geographic investment focus?
The firm's direct stock-picking concentrates on UK equities, particularly small- and mid-cap companies. Global equity exposure is typically gained through third-party collective funds rather than direct overseas stock selection. The client base and distribution relationships are overwhelmingly UK-focused, with the South West as its historical stronghold.
How is Hawksmoor positioned against larger UK wealth managers?
Hawksmoor occupies a regional, intermediary-serving niche distinct from national DFM brands like Brewin Dolphin or Quilter Cheviot. Its Exeter location and adviser-centric model mean it competes on local relationship strength and portfolio construction tailored to planner needs rather than on national advertising or direct-to-consumer platforms.
Is Hawksmoor Investment Management related to Hawksmoor Partners or other entities?
There is no public record of a corporate link between Hawksmoor Investment Management and other 'Hawksmoor'-branded entities. The Exeter-based asset manager operates independently, with ownership held by its founding principals and management rather than as part of a larger financial group or a franchise network.
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