Why more people are letting experts manage their investments

More people are turning to managed investing as a simpler way to grow their money. With investing often feeling overly complex and time‑consuming, a more guided approach is gaining appeal – particularly for those who don't want to make every decision themselves.

By Wealthify

New

Created on: 31/07/2026

Reading time: 6 mins

This guide explores what's behind this shift and how a more hands‑off approach could change the way you invest.

Key takeaways

Managed investing offers a simpler, more supported way to invest, with experts to manage your portfolio for you.
Managed investing is becoming more popular, as more people look for help with the time, knowledge and confidence that investing can require.
With a managed investment account, you set your risk level and how much you're willing to invest each month, and professionals manage your investments based on that.
A managed portfolio is spread across different investments, industries and markets to help reduce risk.
Experts monitor markets and adjust your portfolio over time to help keep it aligned with your long-term goals.
This more hands-off approach can make investing feel easier and less overwhelming, especially if you don't have time to manage it yourself.
There are still important things to consider, including fees, how hands-on you want to be, and the risks of investing.

Jump to a specific section:

What is managed investing and how does it work?
Why are more investors choosing managed investment portfolios?
How does a managed portfolio make investing more accessible?
What should you consider before opening a managed investment account?
FAQs about managed investments
Explore managed investing today

What is managed investing and how does it work?

Managed investing is where experts look after your investments for you. It's an approach that suits people who don't have the time or preference to stay closely involved in their portfolio, and who'd rather let experts do the heavy lifting instead.

When you open a managed investment account, a team of experts build and manages your investment portfolio based on how much risk you're comfortable with. They spread your portfolio across a mix of different investment types, as well as a range of industries and global markets. This is called diversification, and it helps reduce risk by not relying heavily on any one area.

Once the experts invest your money, their work doesn't stop there. They continuously monitor global markets and economic events on your behalf. And when needed, they adjust your portfolio to help keep it aligned with your long-term goals.

Why are more investors choosing managed investment portfolios?

Many investors prefer managed investing because it offers a more supported and hands-off way to invest, with experienced professionals taking care of the day-to-day decisions.

Recent data suggest this approach is becoming more common. According to the Investment Association's Investment Management in the UK 2024-2025 report, the amount of retail investor assets held in managed investments increased by 8% between 2020 and 2024^[1], pointing to growing interest in expert-led investing. During the same period, retail investor assets under management reached 28%, overtaking pension funds for the first time.

Part of the reason for this is how many people feel about investing. When Wealthify asked members of the British public why they haven't considered investing^[2], 70% of respondents cited a lack of knowledge, 66% said the thought of it makes them nervous and 61% said that the process seems too complicated.

Opting for a managed investment account can help address these concerns by putting experienced professionals in charge of the more complex parts.

What our expert says

"In our experience, sticking with a plan over time is one of the hardest parts of investing. Markets don't move in a straight line, and that can be unsettling – especially if you're managing everything yourself. We often see how uncertainty and short-term fluctuations can lead people to second-guess their decisions. A managed approach can help take some of that emotion out of the equation, so it's easier to stay consistent and focused on the bigger picture." – Tomos Russell, Portfolio Manager at Wealthify

How does a managed portfolio make investing more accessible?

With a managed investment portfolio, most of the hard work is handled for you. Investment experts carry out the research, keep track of the markets and make decisions on your behalf. They follow a clear approach and adjust your portfolio over time, which can help keep things on track without you needing to step in.

For many people, this makes investing feel easier to manage and less overwhelming. It can also make it simpler to stay focused on long-term goals, without feeling the need to respond to every change in the market.

This matters because many people still choose to hold large amounts of cash savings instead of investing in the stock market. According to the FCA, 61% of UK adults with over £10,000 of investable assets hold at least three-quarters of these cash savings^[3], despite inflation reducing spending power over time.

Cash savings can play an important role in short-term savings and emergency funds. But for longer-term goals, investing offers the potential for growth that may outpace inflation, although returns aren't guaranteed and the value of investments can go down as well as up.

For people who feel daunted by investing, a managed investment portfolio can help bridge that gap. Instead of researching investments and monitoring markets yourself, investment experts manage your portfolio on your behalf, making it easier to get started and stay invested over the long term.

That said, it's still worth taking a step back to consider your goals before deciding if it's the right fit.

What should you consider before opening a managed investment account?

While having a professional team manage your investment portfolio can offer benefits, it's important to understand the full picture of how managed investing works in practice before deciding if it's right for you.

It's also important to be aware of the costs involved. Managed investment accounts typically charge a fee, either as a fixed amount or as a percentage of your investments, and there may be additional costs associated with the investments held within the portfolio.

Some accounts also have minimum investment requirements, which can be higher than those of other types of investment accounts.

And as with any investing approach, there's an element of risk involved. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you invest. So, it's most suitable if you're willing to invest for at least 5-10 years, which gives your money more time to ride out short-term market ups and downs.

Before investing, it's considered a good idea to have an emergency fund in place for unexpected expenses. This can help you avoid needing to withdraw money from your investments at short notice.

By understanding these considerations upfront, you can decide whether a managed investment account matches your financial goals, timeframe and comfort with risk.

FAQs about managed investments

Is managed investing a good approach for beginners?

Yes, managed investing can be a good option for beginners because it offers a simpler, more supported way to start investing.

Instead of choosing and managing your investments yourself, investment experts take care of the day-to-day decisions and keep your portfolio aligned with your goals. This can make the process feel less overwhelming, especially if you're new to investing or unsure where to begin.

But it's not just for beginners. Managed investing could also be a good solution for time-poor professionals, or anyone who isn't comfortable choosing their own investments and wants a more passive approach to potentially growing their money over time.

Who is a managed investment portfolio not right for?

Managed investing might be less suitable for you if you're experienced, time-rich, and enjoy researching and choosing your own investments. If this sounds like you, a more hands-on approach could give you more control and flexibility.

Ultimately, the right option depends on your personal preferences, how involved you want to be, and what feels manageable for you.

Explore which option is right for you by reading our guide on DIY vs Managed Portfolios

How much control do you have over managed investments?

With a managed portfolio, you usually have control over the overall direction of your investments, but not the day-to-day decisions. At the start, you set things like how much risk you're comfortable with, and an expert then manages your portfolio based on your style.

The exact level of involvement can vary depending on the type of account. With some, an investment team can make decisions on your behalf; others may allow you to approve changes before they happen. Picking an approach that feels right for you will depend on how involved you want to be.

How much does a managed investment account cost?

Managed investing usually involves a fee for the professional management of your investments. This is often charged as a percentage of your portfolio or as a fixed amount.

Even small differences in fees can make a difference over time, especially with long-term investing, so it's important to understand what you're paying and how it may affect your returns.

That said, managing investments yourself isn't fee-free. You'll still pay account fees and trading costs (depending on the provider) — so it's worth reading up on DIY investing before you take the plunge, to avoid any unexpected charges.

Does managed investing change how long I need to stay invested for?

No, managed investing doesn't change how long you need to stay invested. Investing still works best over the longer term, as markets can move up and down and dipping in for a short amount of time might increase the chances of losing out due to volatility.

While a managed investment portfolio does take the emphasis off investors when it comes to tuning in to the day‑to‑day decisions, it doesn't mean investments are sheltered from movements in the market. Staying invested for longer can help give your money more time to recover from dips, while also giving it the potential to grow over time.

Ready to let experts manage your investments?

If you're looking for a simpler, more supported way to invest, a managed investment approach could be a good fit. With expert oversight and a clear plan in place, you don't need any advanced knowledge or insight into making regular, important decisions.

At Wealthify, our team of investment experts builds and manages your Investment Plan for you, based on the type of Plan and how much risk you're comfortable with. You can choose from five investment styles, including ethical options, and check your performance any time using our straightforward app.

We keep things low and transparent when it comes to costs, helping you maximise your returns. Our annual management fee is 0.6%, and we work hard to keep trading fees low. There are no charges for deposits, withdrawals, transfers or closing your Plan.

We're also rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot at time of writing, and are backed by Aviva, one of the UK's leading financial institutions.

If you feel ready to take a more guided approach to growing your money, you can open a Flexible Stocks and Shares ISA with a minimum initial deposit of £1000 and start your managed investment portfolio today.

Please remember the value of your investments can go down as well as up, and you could get back less than invested.

Your tax treatment will depend on your individual circumstances, and it may be subject to change in the future.

Wealthify does not provide financial advice. Please seek financial advice if you are unsure about investing.