Melville Douglas was established in 1983 to provide a customised asset management service through a full discretionary portfolio mandate. The primary focus of the business is the provision of personalised investment management services to high net worth individuals, with expertise in the management of:
Melville Douglas is a 100% owned subsidiary of the Standard Bank Group. We manage portfolios on behalf of high net worth individuals, company directors and family trusts, with assets of approximately R35 billion under management.
We offer our clients a bespoke portfolio, customised to suit their specific needs and objectives, by judicious investment in shares, bonds, property and cash. Our revenue is derived exclusively from investment management fees, which enables the portfolio management team to focus solely on investment performance.
Details of our fee structure are available on our fees page.
Melville Douglas was founded in 1983 by Christopher Melville and Harvey Douglas. Their objective was to develop a company devoted to providing a highly personalised investment management service for select, high net worth clients.
Melville Douglas was acquired by the Standard Bank Group in 2001 and is a division of Standard Bank Wealth and Investment. We are a niche service provider to high net-worth individuals, trusts, charitable foundations and small pension funds.
Today, Melville Douglas is one of the most respected and admired premier portfolio management companies in South Africa. We were built on a foundation of exceptional service and performance, so much so that Standard Bank Group incorporated us as the core of its Wealth and Investment initiative. We have, however, retained our independent identity.
The administration of investments closely supports the investment process.
Safe custody of assets
The distinction between management and custodian roles is important for security, and is an established practice internationally.
Clients' scrip and cash balances are held by an independent custodian, usually a major commercial bank, with shares being registered in the nominee company of the custodian.
Any transfers out of clients' accounts, other than for investment purposes, can only be made on written request by the client.
Share events
We administer all matters pertaining to a client's portfolio, such as rights issues, scrip dividends, share splits and similar events.
Income distributions are made on instruction or reinvested in the portfolio.
Reporting
Management encourages regular meetings with clients to review the investment strategy, portfolio structure and performance. Clients are provided with a monthly statement detailing all transactions, including income.
Clients can use a password-enabled system to electronically access their information through our website (updated weekly).
Our systems can provide clients with supplementary transactional reports to meet their particular information requirements, such as full income and capital gains tax transactional reports on an annual basis.
Termination
Termination of the investment management contract with Melville Douglas requires 30 day’s notice and carries no penalties.
Clients requesting Melville Douglas to liquidate a portfolio should give as much notice as possible in order to ensure that investments are realised at the best prices.
Alternatively, clients may take control of the portfolio and maintain their relationship with the custodian.
Who owns Melville Douglas?
Melville Douglas was purchased by Standard Bank Group in 2001 to provide a customized private client wealth offering to high net worth individuals.
What are the current funds under management of Melville Douglas?
The Melville Douglas Investment Management funds are valued at R35 billion. The Melville Douglas International funds are valued at US$663 million as at 30 April 2015.
What is the minimum portfolio size acceptable to Melville Douglas?
To ensure our high level of personal service we have a minimum investment size of R10 million per portfolio. Smaller clients can access our investment expertise in a cost-efficient manner through our unitised managed funds.
What security of assets do we offer?
Melville Douglas uses the custodial services of major commercial banks, with all clients' assets being registered in the nominee company of these banks.
What is the investment philosophy of Melville Douglas?
We have a very clear and well-conceived philosophy, which you can read in full at Investment information.
What type of investment mandate does Melville Douglas accept?
Clients will specify a broad investment mandate based on their particular risk profile and any other specific requirements. Within this investment mandate Melville Douglas requires complete discretion as to the underlying investments.
You have reviewed the latest product information on our website (fact sheet) and know the risk and fees associated with your investment choice. You have read and understood the terms and conditions available on our website or upon request.
To invest directly, investors need to download the application form, complete and submit this form and all the associated documents to STANLIB:
E-mail: instructions@stanlib.com
Facsimile: 0867 277 501 or 011 448 6666
STANLIB Collective Investments Limited administer these funds.
You have reviewed the latest product information on our website (fact sheet) and know the risk and fees associated with your investment choice. You have read and understood the terms and conditions available on our website or upon request.
To invest directly, investors need to download the application form, complete and submit this form and all the associated documents to STANLIB:
E-mail: instructions@stanlib.com
Facsimile: 0867 277 501 or 011 448 6651
STANLIB Collective Investments Limited administer these funds.
