Company description

Octopus Investments is the largest provider of specialist tax-efficient investments. The Group manages more than £12.5 billion on behalf of over 63,000 investors and have over 750 employees.¹ 

Founded in 2000, Octopus Investments set out to be a financial services company with a difference, and one that put its customers first. From the very beginning, we've invested in the people, ideas and industries that can change the world and unlock a brighter tomorrow. 

We built our expertise in spaces that make a real difference in financial planning. And we've designed investments that drive money into those sectors we truly believe in. 

 

Where we invest

 

• Renewable Energy: We're one of the UK's largest investors in wind and solar farms, paving the way for a greener future. 
• Smaller Companies: We're supporting entrepreneurs and driving the economy, turning small businesses into big ones.
• Healthcare: We're helping to build state-of-the art care homes, retirement communities and other healthcare facilities.
• Property: We finance property investment, helping the UK economy grow by releasing housing stock for redevelopment. 

 

We're proud to be a certified B Corporation ©

Being a B Corp means our social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency have been assessed and certified.  We strongly believe that there is no trade-off between 'doing good' and making money, and our business can pursue purpose as well as profit. We care about how we do business.

Visit our website to find out more about our products and ways we can help. 

 

Investments

 

Business Relief

Octopus is the largest manager of investments that qualify for Business Relief (BR)². BR-qualifying shares that have been held for at least two years and are held at the time of death can be left to beneficiaries free from inheritance tax.

To get an idea of which of your clients can benefit and by how much, use our residence nil-rate band calculator to estimate how much inheritance tax is likely to be due on a client's estate. 

If you're interested in a specific product, you can find out more on the relevant page:

• Octopus Inheritance Tax Service
• Octopus AIM Inheritance Tax Service
• Octopus AIM Inheritance Tax ISA

 

Enterprise Investment Scheme

Octopus has a long-established history of investing in smaller companies and is regularly approached by talented entrepreneurs who need funding to help them scale up.

Investing in early-stage businesses that are EIS-qualifying gives investors the opportunity to claim a number of tax reliefs alongside their investment, such as 30% upfront income tax relief, tax-free growth, and loss relief.  The government offers EIS tax relief to encourage investment into early-stage businesses with high growth potential. Of course, ambitious growth means taking on significant risk.

If you're interested in an EIS product, you can find out more on the web page:

• Octopus Venture EIS Service

 

Venture Capital Trusts

Octopus is the UK's largest manager of Venture Capital Trusts². VCTs offer investors access to some of the UK's most exciting high-growth small businesses. Our Future Generations VCT is a brand new opportunity with a focus on sustainability.

As an incentive for taking on the risk of investing in early-stage companies, VCTs offer several tax benefits, including income tax relief.

This makes VCTs a flexible planning tool that can be used to help a broad range of clients, including landlords, self-employed business owners and anyone affected by restrictions to pension contributions.

If you are interested in a specific product, you can find out more on the relevent page:

• Octopus Titan VCT
• Octopus AIM VCTs
• Octopus Apollo VCT
• Octopus Future Generations VCT

 

Key risks to keep in mind:
Capital at risk: The value of an investment, and any income from it, can fall as well as rise. Investors may not get back the full amount they invest.

Tax treatment: Tax treatment depends on an investor's personal circumstances and may change in the future.

Qualifying status: Tax reliefs depend on the VCT or portfolio companies maintaining their qualifying status.

Volatility and liquidity: VCT, unquoted and AIM-listed shares could fall or rise in value more than other shares listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. They may also be harder to sell.

Minimum holding periods: BR, VCT, and EIS investments have minimum holding periods. If shares are sold before the minimum holding period, reliefs claimed will have to be repaid. Other reliefs may no longer be available. 


¹ Octopus as at 31 March 2022. Funds under management data includes undrawn commitments, funds under advisory mandates, funds monitored and the Octopus Cash service. 
² Tax Efficient Review, April 2022

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Services available

Discretionary Management

• Venture Capital Trusts
• Enterprise Investments Schemes
• Inheritance Tax Planning (AIM and Non-AIM)

Non-Discretionary Management

• Investment Trusts
• OEICs
• Institutional