Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Drew McNeil, Wren Investment Office

Date: 27 Sep 2023

Ashleigh John

This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Drew McNeil, Co-founder of Wren Investment Office.

Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.

I am a co-founder of Wren Investment Office and I head up the client team, so I am responsible for ensuring our clients receive the best possible service. As a founder, I am also involved in business development and the strategic direction of the firm.

What does a typical day look like for you?

No one day is the same. Meeting and advising clients will take up the bulk of my time, as will liaising with and speaking to our clients’ other professional advisers – lawyers, accountants, trustees and investment managers.

Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions.

Our role is to give our clients strategic advice on how to meet their objectives, how to put in place the most effective governance for the management of their wealth and how to get the best out of the investment world. This typically starts with a wealth diagnostic of what the purpose of their wealth is, what they are aiming to achieve, what they own and in which structures, who they are working with and how much they are paying. My answer will come across as glib, but every client instruction is interesting because they are so personal and so varied.

What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?

Our clients generally wish to protect their capital in real terms after meeting their expenditure needs. The challenge at the moment is how to achieve that in the face of higher, and possibly sustained, inflation. We are helping them by thinking about their long term strategic planning and identifying investment opportunities that might be more appropriate in higher inflation environments.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Starting Wren Investment Office with my co-founders.

What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?

To listen and to lead by example.

Who do you most admire and why?

Any entrepreneur who has created a business that endures and where clients and colleagues thrive.

Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?

I spent a few weeks in France this summer. It’s such a beautiful country with something for everyone, whether it’s the sea, mountains, great cities, historic villages, etc.

If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?

I always dreamed of being a ski teacher. As I get older, the teaching part becomes less appealing but the skiing part remains!

How do you relax after a long day?

Spending time with friends and family. Cycling, playing golf and meditation.

You can view Drew’s profile on the Leaders List here.