Investment Updates: Sarasin, Carmignac, FAB and Octopus Ventures

Sarasin Asset Management has debuted its US Client Model Portfolio Service to assist UK-based advisors navigating the complex reporting and regulatory requirements of clients with ties to the United States. The service offers three strategies—Balanced, Growth, and Equity—available in both sterling and dollars to accommodate shifting intergenerational wealth and relocation trends. Nick Wood, director at the firm, noted the move addresses the increasing consolidation of advisory firms and the demand for scalable, cross-border solutions.

In the fund management space, Carmignac has brought its tech-focused strategy to the UK market with the launch of FP Carmignac Tech Solutions. Managed by Kristofer Barrett, the fund focuses on the global technology value chain and follows a strong performance record since its initial European launch in 2024. Meanwhile, First Abu Dhabi Bank has reached a technical milestone by successfully transferring digital assets into and out of regulated custody via Komainu. This development supports the bank's goal of using digital assets as collateral for institutional financing, such as repurchase agreements.

Finally, Octopus Ventures has announced the first close of its second pre-seed fund, First Cheque II. The fund aims to surpass the £10 million raised by its predecessor and has already acquired the portfolio of the early-stage platform OnStage. With this move, Octopus Ventures adds six new companies to its roster, including AI-driven vaccine developer Serova Bio, as it continues to target founders across the UK and Europe.