Matt Wiles from EQ Investors is our Fund Selector of the Month

Matt Wiles joined EQ Investors as Head of Research in October 2024 from LGT Wealth Management where he spent three years leading on Sustainability and Impact focused research. Prior to that he worked at abdrn as an Investment Manager and Research Analyst on the Multi-Asset Solutions team. Matt holds the CIPM, IMC and CFA ESG qualifications.

You’ve been in the sector for more than 20 years. How did your journey begin, and how has the industry evolved over that time?

I started in a performance and risk and asset allocation role, building models and working with experienced investors which proved a highly valuable foundation from which to move into investment research. Over 20+ years, the industry has become far more data-driven and global. There’s greater use of technology, significantly faster information flow, far more emphasis on risk management and ESG and sustainability consideration than there was early in my career.

What does a typical day look like for you, and how do you manage your priorities in such a fast-paced, information-driven environment?

My day typically involves early market review, scanning news flow and email and prioritising key developments. A large part is usually spent in meetings - either internal discussions, investment committees, meeting fund managers or at conferences.

What separates great investors from average ones in today’s environment?

Great investors stand out through discipline, consistency, and emotional control. They have a clear process, stick to it under pressure, and remain humble. They also have an open mind with a continuous improvement mentality and can adapt when conditions change, without overreacting.

You’re based in the UK. What aspects of the market do you think investors should pay closer attention to, and what are they overlooking?

In the UK, there is still a lot emphasis on having a home bias within portfolios which is a potential risk overlooked by many investors. At EQ we take a global approach to investment ensuring portfolios are better aligned with world markets and economic drivers. We believe this provides better access to current and future business leaders, no matter where they are located.

Which indicators do you find most useful when making investment decisions and which do you think have become less relevant over time?

EQ is a sustainably focused wealth manager, so we focus as much on the approach as we do on outcomes. This means deeper analysis of processes and underlying holdings, going beyond conventional financial and valuation metrics to consider ESG and Sustainability opportunities and risks.

With the ever-increasing quantum, frequency and availability of data, informational advantages of conventional research models are being eroded as processing and analysing becomes more efficient, so finding a new edge is important. We believe our expertise in sustainable investing gives us that edge.

How do you incorporate AI or automation into your workflow, and where do you believe human judgment and experience still make the biggest difference?

AI and automation are helpful for screening large datasets, summarising research, and identifying trends quickly. However, human judgment remains crucial within investment research when assessing management credibility, strategic direction, and market positioning - areas where nuance and experience matter most.

What’s one investment decision you’re especially proud of, and what did it teach you?

Creating a blend of style tilted funds to provide a core risk-return profile with increased alpha potential. Combining growth and value with quality and momentum characteristics that complement each other was certainly a challenge, although taught me a lot about the importance of factor risk management within a portfolio context and provided a great outcome for clients.

What advice would you give to younger professionals entering asset management today?

For younger professionals, I’d encourage building strong analytical skills and a wide network to help gain broad experience. Stay curious, read widely, and don’t rely solely on consensus views. Just as importantly, develop resilience – markets and performance cycles are inevitable, and long-term success depends on maintaining discipline through them.

Outside of work, what hobbies or activities help you switch off and take a break from the constant market noise?

I love being outdoors and being active, be that hiking, mountain biking or playing golf. I’m as happy at the beach as I am in the forest or climbing a mountain. I also enjoy cooking, reading and travelling, particularly to European cities.