If WHIreland International Wealth managing director Will Corrin mentions he is checking his stock, he doesn’t necessarily mean the stocks and shares his team manages as head of an investment management company.

It could just as likely be the cattle he has in the fields of his 120-acre family farm in Colby.

While Will is a full-time MD during the week, he’s still very much an active farmer out of the office.

The two roles have more in similar than you might think, he says.

’The most obvious common factor is that they both involve stewardship and looking after something,’ he said.

’But there are other parallels - for example the need for a strong strategy, good planning and efficient operations. One job is definitely easier to do than the other in bad weather but there are lots of transferable skills.’

Although the WHIreland name is fairly new on the Isle of Man, it can trace its roots back to the North West of England and the railway boom of the 19th Century.

The firm was family-run until the 1970s and over the years has grown significantly by succession and take-overs and floated on the London Stock Exchange AIM (Alternative Investment Market) in 2000.

WHIreland International Wealth is WHIreland Group’s international brand, which is focused on offering services for Isle of Man residents as well as looking beyond the traditional UK client base at the global marketplace.

’The purpose of the international business is to attract and manage non-UK private client and institutional assets,’ said Will.

’We describe ourselves as a premier provider of bespoke investment management and client service. We pride ourselves on the excellent relationships we have with our clients and the adviser industry both in the Isle of Man and globally by meeting their individual needs with tailored solutions.’

WHIreland’s international office was established in 2013 and the company says it wants to become the island’s largest wealth management business within the next five years.

Will said: ’The Isle of Man was an obvious choice for our parent as the island is highly regarded and well-regulated, being built on a stable and resilient economic base offering security and quality services to clients around the world.

’As a group, WHIreland has clearly positioned itself for international growth and in the few short years since we set up, we’ve already established strong working relationships with local private clients and trustees, the Isle of Man Government, international IFAs, pension providers and international high net worth individuals.

’To become the island’s largest wealth management business over the next five years, we are currently actively recruiting more investment professionals to join our journey and help to achieve our goals.

’As a result, we are already looking for larger premises with a view to moving later this year.

’Business is growing well and with the global wealth management market estimated to be around £7.36 trillion of assets under management and administration, there is plenty of room for us to expand.’

While much has been made in the industry of the increasing use of ’robo advice’ - automation and digital techniques to build and manage portfolios - Will said there would always be a need for the traditional discretion.

’At WHIreland, we believe that "robo advice" may fill a void to a degree although that business model is still to be fully proven,’ he said.

’It could be useful for investors wishing to establish a small investment account, however investors of £250,000 and more will benefit from having a professional investment manager who can help with creating an investment strategy and keeping a portfolio aligned to the client’s financial goals.

’It’s true that there is increasing pressure on fees and charges due to the rise of robo advisers but that makes it incumbent on us to be open and transparent about our fees so clients can fully understand the depth of service they get from a wealth manager such as WHIreland International Wealth.’

With a career in financial services that has spanned many of the key wealth management names on the island including Singer and Friedlander, Close Brothers and Thomas Miller, Will is confident that the WHIreland investment philosophy of asset allocation, analysis, an active approach and intelligent risk management will stand its international business in good stead.

’I once had some advice from a farming friend that you should be strong and firm in your decision-making but not rash. I think this applies equally well to the wealth management business,’ he said.

’It’s crucial not to over-react to events, to take your time to think properly, be objective and come to a decision after considering everything and everybody.

’It’s that process of careful deliberation and judgement, backed with years of experience, that adds value - whether that’s to clients through a wealth management service or planning next year’s harvest!’