Our Investment Philosophy
Evidence-Based, Behaviour-Anchored, Built for Real Life — Not Guesswork
Investing shouldn’t feel overwhelming or mysterious. At Lucent, we base our investment philosophy on decades of real-world evidence, not promises of market beating performance.
Our approach is designed for high-net-worth individuals, families and business owners who want disciplined, cost-effective strategies that help them reach their long-term goals with confidence.
Our Philosophy in Six Parts
Watch our full investment philosophy video series below
— each one designed to guide you through our process step by step.
1. The Active Management Illusion
Many investors assume active management should outperform because professionals are “smarter”. The data tells a different story — most active funds underperform over time, after fees. This video explains why we don’t chase short-term predictions but focus on what the evidence shows works.
Watch Time: 7 minutes
2. The Index Advantage
Rather than trying to beat the market, a more reliable way to capture returns is simply to own the market. Index funds give broad exposure, low costs and dependable long-term results — a core foundation of our investment approach.
Watch Time: 8 minutes
3. Beyond Market Returns
Once the market return foundation is set, there are evidence-based ways to enhance outcomes. Factor investing (value, size, profitability, investment) isn’t guessing; it systematically captures documented return premiums that academic research has tracked for decades.
Watch Time: 8 minutes
4. The Only Free Lunch in Investing
Diversification is the “free lunch” in investing — reducing risk without sacrificing expected return by blending assets that don’t move in lockstep. We explain how diversification works across geographies, asset classes and time to build resilient portfolios.
Watch Time: 8 minutes
5. Your Own Worst Enemy
Technical strategies matter, but the biggest obstacle to investment success is human behaviour. Emotional decisions like panic selling and poor timing can destroy wealth. We build systems — regular investing plans, rebalancing and disciplined frameworks — to help clients stay invested through market noise.
Watch Time: 9 minutes
6. Beyond Investment Management
Low-cost funds are accessible, but investments alone don’t create financial success. Financial planning — including cashflow modelling, tax-efficient strategies, estate planning and behavioural coaching — adds measurable value and aligns your money with your life goals. This holistic framework is where professional advice earns its keep.
Watch Time: 9 minutes
How We Put Our Investment Philosophy Into Practice
Evidence-Led — Not Hype
We follow a disciplined, research-grounded investment process.
That means:
• No market timing
• Low-cost, diversified portfolios
• Investment decisions based on long-term outcomes, not short-term noise
This approach helps protect wealth and supports reliable growth over decades.
Behaviourally Anchored
Technical decisions alone aren’t enough. We guide clients through market volatility, helping them stay disciplined and avoid costly emotional reactions. That behavioural coaching is one of the most important ways professional advice adds value.
Planning Beyond Portfolios
Investments are just one part of your financial picture.
A clear investment plan ensures:
- Your savings rate aligns with your goals
- Tax-efficient strategies are used where appropriate
- Legacy and estate planning protect what matters most
- Risk coverage is aligned with your life circumstances
- Your plan evolves as your life changes
This broader planning focus isn’t about greater complexity; it’s about greater confidence — and that’s where professional advice creates real value.
Who This Is For
At Lucent, our investment philosophy is designed for people who:
✔️ Want a disciplined, evidence-based investment strategy
✔️ Value long-term outcomes over short-term trends
✔️ Appreciate behaviour-anchored planning, not just portfolio pickings
✔️ Are building wealth alongside purposeful life planning
What Our Clients Say
We’ve helped hundreds of clients in Birmingham and across the Midlands achieve financial peace of mind, freedom, and happiness.
Here’s what a few of them have to say...
"I'm really happy with their service! They took the time to understand my unique situation and goals, ensuring every recommendation aligned perfectly with my needs."
"From the very first moment of meeting, we were made to feel so welcome. We felt so relaxed and at ease. We felt staff were honest and trustworthy and talked in a way we understood."
"Steve understands our objectives, listens to our needs and what we require. He advises us how to best achieve our goals and encourages us to go ahead with our retirement. We are very happy with the current progress."
"We have used Lucent for several years and found them outstanding advisors. Steve Rowe is an outstanding example of how a brilliant advisor can turn around even the most sceptical client."
"Keely has been excellent in explaining so we clearly understand our pensions and investment options. The outcome has exceeded our expectations, the service we have received from Keely Woods has been exceptional."
"We have been with Steve for over 10 years. We have got to treat him as a friend now. Steve has guided us through some tough times on the way to retirement, we have always trusted his judgement."
"Steve has also stepped in with advice that has saved a significant amount in taxation over the past year and helped me in readiness for retirement."
"Luke has listened and understood our needs and provided very thorough explanations of our options to enable us to make a very informed decision."
"From the very first moment of meeting, we were made to feel so welcome. We felt so relaxed and at ease. We felt staff were honest and trustworthy and talked in a way we understood."
"Steve I would like to thank you for your support, understanding and advice. You have provided us with clear and concise details enabling us to make informed decisions."
"It took me a while to find the right financial planners, I wanted someone who was interested in doing the best for me and not just interested in what I would be worth to them. I definitely found that and more at Lucent."
"Keely has removed the “fear” from managing my financial assets - an important outcome for me. I am also happy with the outcomes in terms of the performance of investment decisions that I have made."
"Luke has provided a plan, based on investment advice, that allows us to meet our objectives. We have retired and our lifestyle has actually improved!"
Ready to explore how this philosophy can work for you?
Contact Lucent today to start building a financial plan that secures you and your family’s future and maximises your earning potential.
- Do you have investible assets of £500k or more and seek professional financial planning?
- Are you focused on growing your wealth while balancing family and career responsibilities?
- Do you want to optimise your tax position and investment strategy during your peak earning years?
- Are you looking for guidance on planning for your children’s education and your future financial goals?
If you answer yes to the above, get in touch.