So, around two and a bit years ago I attended an investment seminar by a very well known (and excellent) discretionary investment manager entitled ‘How to beat the Brexit blues’. I thought the title a little odd at the time given that after the Brexit referendum the stock market had shot up, investment in the UK was up, inflation had stabilised and begun to fall again, and employment was at a record high. Not exactly the blues I remember thinking.

Anyway, the seminar was very enjoyable (we had steak and a drop of Shiraz), and we generally waffled the evening away in between listening to experts predict how they were going to make sure that their investment strategy was sound and able to ride out the coming volatility (which by the way they didn’t predict either).

Now whizzing forward almost three years, here we are, with the Brexit blues. If you’re not blue with the situation we’re in then you’re probably blue with the prospects of us not getting out of it. So, I’ve decided to rehash some of that title and bring to you five investment funds/managers which I think are in prime position to make some Brexit bread for you. This isn’t advice btw – it’s just my own take on it.

The reason, by the way, that I’ve highlighted the first year being the important one is that in each subsequent year you adjust this figure by inflation. This is a very important concept often missed by planners, who mistakenly think that its 4% every year infinitum. It isn’t. Withdrawing on this basis is likely to see a decreasing income but an increasing pot.

1) Fundsmith Equity – Terry Smith

This was always going to be my first choice. In the days when I used to put portfolios together for clients, Terry was a cornerstone of my fund selection – and my clients loved me for it. Terry is what we call a ‘buy and hold’ type of manager and one who has long recognised the value of picking global growth companies that are good value and building a long-term portfolio with them. He also puts his money where his mouth is, investing his own money alongside investors. Smith has an alignment of interests that many will appreciate.

2) Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust – James Anderson / Tom Slater

Founded in 1909 (yes really) these guys mix up a low-cost investment structure with plenty of exposure of unquoted companies with the results being a 177% return over the last five years. The risk pays off time and time again!

3) Baillie Gifford UK Equity Alpha – Gerard Callahan

They often say that no active manager will stay at the top of his game for more than five years…  Well this chap has been top quartile for almost 7 years and given his excellent returns this year (16% since January and an Alpha of almost 8% for the 12 months), you can see why I’ve got him in here.

4) Lindsell Train UK Equity – Nick Train

Fancy something a bit leftfield? Nick Train has been managing this since 2000 and likes to mix things up a bit with things like the ‘Alternative Investment Market’ (AIM) making up a decent part of his holdings. Whatever he’s doing it seems to working as the 82% return in five years seems to indicate.

5) Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC – Sven Borho

My final pick is again an Investment Trust, but this time being a little more ‘sector’ specific (Health Sector to be precise), if for no other reason than if the Brexit blues really do drive us all mad then the sector share price is bound to rocket. Well ok, maybe not, but its 135% performance over the last five years should give you some comfort.

OK, well that’s it then, my five tonics to help beat the Brexit blues. However, remember all investments are meant to be longer term (even longer than Brexit) so don’t get the blues if yours goes down – because they can and at times over a longer term, probably will (that’s my caveat by the way in case you didn’t notice)!

This article is solely the view of the contributor and may not necessarily represent the view of the publisher, Moore Dixon.