Team Spotlight: Jonathon Curtis

This month our lead content writer, Lee Schofield, sat down to have a virtual coffee with Head of Investment Research, Jonathon Curtis. Together they talked about Jonathon's career, investing and all things Skybound.

For those who don't know, Jonathon oversees Skybound's investment strategy for group-wide assets and chairs the wider Investment Committee. Based in Geneva, he is responsible for all fund research and building the investment portfolios that our clients are investing in.

Who inspired you to pursue the career you have today?

I was lucky enough to have someone who taught me the value of saving and investing from an early age, which was my grandfather. So, I think where I am today is really down to him and those values he taught me as a young boy.

What does a typical day at Skybound look like for you?

In a word – busy! I could be doing some investment research, interviewing fund managers, building model portfolios, approving bespoke portfolios, answering advisor queries and or trying to calm people down after a market wobble! I also write the portfolio and market commentaries and a lot of the investment-related marketing content, help colleagues build their investment knowledge and chair our Investment Committee. It’s a lot of work but I genuinely enjoy what I do so it doesn’t feel like a burden.

What do you like most about your job?

As I’m ultimately responsible for all investment decisions across Skybound Wealth, I like that what I do makes a difference to people’s lives. I genuinely believe investing is one of the best ways to help you achieve whatever life goals you have, although of course I’m very biased!

I was lucky enough to have someone who taught me the value of saving and investing from an early age, which was my grandfather.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

One of the most difficult things I do, but also what I find very interesting, is trying to overcome my own biases, as well as helping others overcome theirs too. Being a successful investor means you often have to go against your own intuition, like staying calm when things aren’t going well, overcoming fear-of-missing-out and herd behaviour, and making sure to invest in both things that have performed strongly as well as poorly, as you never know what are going to be the best investments in the future.

What have been your biggest accomplishments with the Skybound team?

I would say whenever we’ve built a new model portfolio (and we’ve got a new one coming out soon so watch this space). They’re the result of months and months of research, debate, and teamwork and so there aren’t many more satisfying feelings than launching a portfolio and then seeing clients invest in it.

That’s easy – we aim to grow client’s wealth. But I suppose what we’re really doing is helping them achieve their ambitions for the future.

Describe what you do without using the words invest and financial planning?

That’s easy – we aim to grow client’s wealth. But I suppose what we’re really doing is helping them achieve their ambitions for the future.

What was the first thing you bought with your own money?

I can’t remember if I’m honest as it was so long ago. It was probably some sweets using money I earned from doing chores when I was about 4 years old. Even back then though I used to save some of what I earned in my old piggy bank, which is actually still in use, although these days it’s my son adding the coins!

What was the first thing/company you invested in with your own money?

I’ve always had a bit of a penchant for small caps, which are smaller companies, so I believe my first investment was a UK small cap fund. It did well but it was a classic home-country-bias investment, so I don’t hold it anymore as now I only really invest in global funds.

Can you recommend a book you recently read?

I read a lot of investment books, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend any of them unless you’re looking for a cure for insomnia. The book I’m currently reading for my son’s bedtime story is the Hobbit, which I can recommend for all people of all ages!