Investors have never had more choice in how they build their portfolio. They can access investments from across the globe, in any sector, and in a variety of formats. That’s great news if you have the time and resources to dedicate to building your own investment portfolio, but many will have competing priorities.
CT Global Managed Portfolio Trust aims to do some of the heavy-lifting on investment selection and portfolio construction. Instead of buying individual stocks or single funds, the trust delivers a curated investment trust portfolio of 25 or more underlying investment companies. This balanced approach spreads risk across different management styles and global markets.
This approach means that while the trust will always hold a variety of regions and sectors, and harness a variety of specific trends, it will never be over-exposed to a single one. Whereas a MSCI World tracker, for example, had over 70% in the US and around 30% in technology on 31 August 20261, the CT Global Managed Portfolio had only 35% in the US, and 23% in technology to the same date.
That doesn’t mean the investment managers have no views. They deliberately lean into areas of structural growth. This is part of the reason the trust has moved away from the UK, and into the higher growth markets such as Asia or emerging markets over the past 12 months, or made strategic investments in infrastructure or private equity. Managers Adam Norris and Paul Green are always looking for new sources of opportunity, exploring emerging asset classes and adjusting to accommodate the prevailing economic and market environment.
However, it means that investors don’t have to worry that a meltdown in the AI sector will derail their long-term financial plans. The trust will not be swept along with the latest hot theme in financial markets. Experience suggests this is a poor way to run money, even if the short-term rewards can look appealing. Markets can always surprise, no matter how diligent your research or how deep your understanding.
The trust strives for the same diversity in the income portfolio. Those who rely on an income from their investments shouldn’t have to worry that income comes from a single source and can be derailed by a single event. Income is drawn across regions, sectors and asset types. The highest weighting in any individual sector is financial services, at 14.5%, but unusually for an income fund it also has 13.4% in technology.2
Suitable for long‑term planning
Investors can use CT Global Managed Portfolio Trust in a number of ways. It could sit at the core of a portfolio, for example, leaving investors the option of building other investments around it. An investor may want higher access to the US, technology or strategic metals. They can take these additional risks, knowing that the main part of their portfolio is well-balanced.
It is also a natural choice for those who are new to investing, including for children’s savings. The move out of cash and into stock market investment can be daunting, and may be better to pick a diversified investment where risk is managed carefully. With this trust, investors get broad exposure in a single place, actively managed to take account of changing investment environments. This can help smooth out some of the highs and lows that can be a significant deterrent for an investment novice.
Equally, if investors have high weightings in fixed income or other low risk assets, the trust can act as an all-in-one equity portfolio, providing some inflation-proofing and higher growth options.
A final role for the trust is as an income option. CT Global Managed Portfolio trust is unique in having growth and income share classes. Investors can pick the one more appropriate for their needs. Many of our shareholders use the growth share class as they accumulate wealth while they are still working, switching into the income share class (which can be done with no capital gains tax liability) as they need an income post-retirement.
Investment trusts
The structure of investment trusts lends itself to long-term investing. Investment trusts are ‘closed-ended’, with a fixed pool of capital to invest. In practical terms, it means they do not need to sell assets to pay investors who wish to exit the fund, nor do they need to buy new holdings when new money comes into the fund. This may seem like a technical point, but it has real-world implications.
Investors can be emotional, pulling money out of markets at times of crisis, or putting money in at moments of extreme optimism. This can be disruptive for the funds that need to manage those inflows and outflows. Having a closed pool of capital enables long-term decision-making, without the distraction of short-term noise.
Trusts can also use ‘gearing’. This is the strategic use of debt, with the aim of enhancing capital returns and income over time, though it can magnify losses in weak markets. The CT Global Managed Portfolio trust usually operates with gearing that can rise as high as 20% if the managers were extremely optimistic about the outlook for their underlying holdings.
Above all, the trust can be seen as an investment for life. Investors can be reassured that the managers prioritise balance and diversification across the underlying investment trust portfolio. At a time when investors can be overwhelmed by choice, it is a straightforward option for busy investors.
1 MSCI – MSCI World Index (USD) – July 2026
2 Columbia Threadneedle Investments – CT Global Managed Portfolio Trust PLC Income – 31 July 2026
3 MSCI – MSCI World Index (USD) – July 2026
Meet the Fund Managers
Paul Green is a portfolio manager in the Multi-Asset Solutions, EMEA team, responsible for the management of the Multi-Manager Universal funds and the CT Global Managed Portfolio Trust. He joined Columbia Threadneedle through the acquisition of BMO GAM (EMEA) in 2021, having been with BMO, via Thames River Capital, since 2007. Prior to focusing on investment management, Paul gained experience in portfolio implementation, portfolio pricing and client administration at Credit Suisse Asset Management and before that, at Rothschild Asset Management. He holds the Investment Administration Qualification (IAQ), the Investment Management Certificate (IMC), the CISI Level 6 Certificate in Private Client Investment Advice & Management and the CISI Diploma.
Adam Norris is a portfolio manager in the Multi-Asset Solutions, EMEA team responsible for the management of the Multi-Manager Universal funds and the CT Global Managed Portfolio Trust. He joined Columbia Threadneedle through the acquisition of BMO GAM (EMEA) in 2021, having previously been with BMO since 2013. Initially, he worked in product management within the firm, before moving into fund and investment company selection in 2016. He is a CFA charterholder and holds the Investment Management Certificate.
Important information: information is correct as of date of publication. Information from external sources is considered reliable but there is no guarantee as to its accuracy or completeness.
Investment risks
The value of your investments and any income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back the original amount invested. Gearing is used for investment purposes to obtain, increase or reduce exposure to an asset, index or investment. The use of gearing can enhance returns to investors in a rising market, but if the market falls the losses may be greater.
Issued by Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited and approved for distribution 11/09/2026.
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