Melville Douglas was established in 1983 by Harvey Douglas and Christopher Melville. We are a boutique investment management company within the Standard Bank Group and manage the investments of behalf of a wide range of endowments, charitable trusts, retirement funds, institutional and private client mandates.
What truly sets Melville Douglas apart is our approach to investing – driven by balance, a longterm view and a commitment to fundamental research. Through our close collaboration with Standard Bank we also offer a global investment management service to investor’s from and into the African continent. Over the years we have delivered outstanding results for our investors thanks to our experienced team and comprehensive range of domestic and offshore investment options.
We offer a range of managed funds that allow investors to access domestic and offshore markets in line with their needs and risk profiles, while our portfolio management service provides high net worth and institutional investors with the opportunity to establish bespoke portfolios.
Melville Douglas was founded in 1983 by Christopher Melville and Harvey Douglas to provide a highly personalised investment management service and in 2001, Melville Douglas was acquired wholly by the Standard Bank Group.
Today, Melville Douglas is a well-established business in the private client wealth management industry with a solid track record of excellent performance across our entire product spectrum and we have been built on a foundation of exceptional service and performance.
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.
Your 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 your accounts, other than for investment purposes, can only be made on written request by you.
Share events
We administer all matters of your portfolio, such as rights issues, scrip dividends, share splits and similar events.
Income distributions are made on instruction or reinvested in the portfolio.
Reporting
In addition to a monthly statement detailing all transactions, including income, at Melville Douglas we encourage regular meetings with you to review the investment strategy, portfolio structure and performance.
Furthermore, you can use our secure password-enabled system, updated weekly, to electronically access your information through our website.
And as for personal administration, our systems will provide you with supplementary transactional reports, such as full income and capital gains tax transactional reports on an annual basis.
Termination
Terminating an investment management contract with Melville Douglas only requires 30 days’ notice, and carries no penalties.
If you do want to liquidate a portfolio, we do, however, recommend that you give as much notice as possible in order to ensure that investments are realised at the best prices.
Alternatively, you may take control of the portfolio and maintain the relationship with the custodian.
Who owns Melville Douglas?
Melville Douglas was purchased by Standard Bank Group in 2001 to provide a customised private client wealth offering to high net worth individuals.
What are the current funds under management of Melville Douglas?
We currently have more than R40 billion assets under management on behalf of our investors.
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 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?
At Melville Douglas, we have and follow 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.
Melville Douglas is driven by a team of highly experienced investment professionals based in South Africa and Jersey. The team combines a wealth of knowledge and expertise to create, implement, and monitor a range of prudent investment strategies.
Melville Douglas is driven by a team of highly experienced investment professionals based in South Africa and Jersey. The team combines a wealth of knowledge and expertise to create, implement, and monitor a range of prudent investment strategies.
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.
