Investor Status

Certified high net worth investor

Refers to individuals that have an annual income of more than £100,000 and / or certain net assets of more than £250,000.

High net worth investor statement:

I make this statement so that I can receive promotional communications which are exempt from the restriction on promotion of non-mainstream pooled investments. The exemption relates to certified high net worth investors and I declare that I qualify as such because at least one of the following applies to me:

I had, throughout the financial year immediately preceding the date below, an annual income to the value of £100,000 or more. Annual income for these purposes does not include money withdrawn from my pension savings (except where the withdrawals are used directly for income in retirement).

I held, throughout the financial year immediately preceding the date below, net assets to the value of £250,000 or more. Net assets for these purposes do not include:

(a) the property which is my primary residence or any money raised through a loan secured on that property; or

(b) any rights of mine under a qualifying contract of insurance; or

(c) any benefits (in the form of pensions or otherwise) which are payable on the termination of my service or on my death or retirement and to which I am (or my dependants are), or may be, entitled; or

(d) any withdrawals from my pension savings (except where the withdrawals are used directly for income in retirement).

I accept that the investments to which the promotions will relate may expose me to a significant risk of losing all of the money or other property invested. I am aware that it is open to me to seek advice from an authorised person who specialises in advising on non-mainstream pooled investments.

Certified sophisticated investor

Refers to individuals who have a written certificate signed within the last 36 months by a firm confirming they have been assessed by that firm as sufficiently knowledgeable to understand the risks associated with engaging in investment activity in non-mainstream pooled investments; and

(2) who has signed, within the period of twelve months ending with the day on which the communication is made, a statement in the following terms:

Sophisticated investor statement:

I make this statement so that I can receive promotional communications which are exempt from the restriction on promotion of non-mainstream pooled investments. The exemption relates to certified sophisticated investors and I declare that I qualify as such.

Self-certified sophisticated investor

Refers to individuals who have invested in more than one unlisted company in the last two years or been a member of a business angel network such as OION for at least six months.

Self-certified sophisticated investor statement:

I declare that I am a self-certified sophisticated investor for the purposes of the restriction on promotion of non-mainstream pooled investments. I understand that this means:

(i) I can receive promotional communications made by a person who is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority which relate to investment activity in non-mainstream pooled investments;
(ii) the investments to which the promotions will relate may expose me to a significant risk of losing all of the property invested.

I am a self-certified sophisticated investor because at least one of the following applies:

(a) I am a member of a network or syndicate of business angels and have been so for at least the last six months prior to the date below;
(b) I have made more than one investment in an unlisted company in the two years prior to the date below;
(c) I am working, or have worked in the two years prior to the date below, in a professional capacity in the private equity sector, or in the provision of finance for small and medium enterprises;
(d) I am currently, or have been in the two years prior to the date below, a director of a company with an annual turnover of at least £1 million.

I accept that the investments to which the promotions will relate may expose me to a significant risk of losing all of the money or other property invested. I am aware that it is open to me seek advice from someone who specialises in advising on non-mainstream pooled investments.

Certified restricted investor (sometimes called everyday investor)

Refers to anyone who agrees to not make more than 10% of their investments into company shares that cannot easily be sold.

Restricted investor statement:

I make this statement so that I can receive promotional communications relating to unlisted shares and unlisted debt securities as a restricted investor. I declare that I qualify as a restricted investor because:

a) in the twelve months preceding, I have not invested more than 10% of my net assets in unlisted shares or unlisted debt securities, and
b) I undertake that in the twelve months following I will not invest more than 10% of my net assets in unlisted shares or unlisted debt securities. Net assets for these purposes do not include:

the property which is my primary residence or any money raised through a loan secured on that property;
any rights of mine under a qualifying contract of insurance; or
any benefits (in the form of pensions or otherwise) which are payable on the termination of my service or on my death or retirement and to which I am (or my dependants are), or maybe entitled.