Geopolitics are top of the agenda in an extra special podcast that celebrates four years of talking common sense about investing (alright and a bit of questionable banter on the side).

The 5% Club (with special bonus content!)
Article last updated 9 July 2025.
Geopolitics are top of the agenda in an extra special podcast that celebrates four years of talking common sense about investing (alright and a bit of questionable banter on the side). While markets hover around all-time highs, the world feels far from calm. Are investors too relaxed? How is our team reacting to current events? And what does NATO’s bold new target for military spending mean for defence companies? Then the team changes gears to discuss Ashtead, the world’s second-largest rental company for construction and industrial rental equipment. And as a birthday bonus, our multi-asset equity analyst Emma Letheren gives some interesting insights into her recent trip to Paris for a beauty parade … of a variety of companies and CEOs, of course – we didn’t let her anywhere near les grands magasins!
This podcast was recorded on 3 July 2025.
If during this podcast the team reference any terms you're unfamiliar with, please see our glossary www.rathbonesam.com/glossary-of-terms-and-faqs which will provide an explanation.
Rathbones multi-asset investing team:
David Coombs, Head of Multi-Asset Investments
Will McIntosh-Whyte, Fund Manager, Rathbone Greenbank Multi-Asset Portfolio funds and Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolio funds
Hannah Kennedy, Portfolio Management Assistant – Multi Asset
Rahab Paracha, Sustainable Multi-Asset Investment Specialist
Emma Letheren, Multi-Asset Equity Research Analyst
About Rathbones:
Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbone Asset Management is a UK fund manager, offering equity and bond unit trusts and a multi-asset fund range to meet your capital growth and income requirements. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbones Group plc.
This podcast is intended for retail and professional investors. Any views and opinions are those of the investment manager, and coverage of any assets held must be taken in context of the constitution of the fund and in no way reflect an investment recommendation. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. This podcast has been produced for information purposes only and isn’t intended to constitute financial advice. Any views expressed during this recording belong to the individuals and are based on market conditions at the time of recording; Investments referred to may not be suitable for all recipients. Any mention of a specific security should not be interpreted as a solicitation to buy or sell a specific security. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbones Group. Registered office: 30 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QN. Registered in England No. 02376568.