Vegan Investing FAQ

Vegan investing explicitly excludes all companies involved in animal exploitation, including factory farming, animal testing, and leather production. Standard ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) funds typically don't exclude animal agriculture.

Vegan investing explicitly excludes all companies involved in animal exploitation, including factory farming, animal testing, and leather production. Standard ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) funds typically don't exclude animal agriculture and may include meat producers with "good" welfare policies.

Key differences from ESG:

At Vegan Invest, we apply a 5% revenue threshold, stricter than the industry norm of 10%, meaning companies with more than 5% of revenue from excluded activities are removed from our portfolios.

Research shows switching to ethical investments reduces your carbon footprint 21 times more than going vegan, giving up flying, and switching to renewable energy combined. This comes from a Make My Money Matter study with Aviva and Route2.

Research shows switching to ethical investments reduces your carbon footprint 21 times more than going vegan, giving up flying, and switching to renewable energy combined. This comes from a Make My Money Matter study conducted in collaboration with Aviva and Route2.

The numbers:

For a typical UK pension pot of £50,000, switching from standard investments to sustainable ones can save approximately 21 tonnes of CO₂e per year.

Why is the impact so large?

Your pension doesn't sit in a vault: it's actively invested in companies worldwide. A typical pension funds oil drilling, factory farming, and heavy industry. When millions of investors switch to sustainable funds, it affects the cost of capital for entire industries.

This doesn't mean lifestyle changes don't matter: they absolutely do. But if you've already changed your diet, why not change where your money is invested too? The impact is literally 21 times greater.

Every fund in our portfolios is screened to exclude companies with more than 5% revenue from animal testing, factory farming, animal products (meat, dairy, leather), fossil fuels, weapons, tobacco, and gambling.

Every fund in our portfolios is screened to exclude companies with more than 5% revenue from animal testing, factory farming, animal products (meat, dairy, leather), fossil fuels, weapons, tobacco, and gambling.

Our complete exclusion list:

Why 5% matters:

We continuously monitor holdings and remove companies that no longer meet our criteria.

Yes: research shows sustainable investments have matched or beaten conventional funds. Over the 10 years to 2022, sustainable funds outperformed conventional funds by an average of 1.1% per year.

Yes: research shows sustainable investments have matched or beaten conventional funds. Over the 10 years to 2022, sustainable funds outperformed conventional funds by an average of 1.1% per year.

Why ethical investing can outperform:

Key research findings:

What this means for you:

You don't have to sacrifice returns for values. The question isn't whether ethical investing "costs" performance: the evidence suggests it may actually enhance it while ensuring your money aligns with your beliefs.

Past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but the structural advantages of sustainable investing are compelling.

We offer Stocks & Shares ISAs (tax-free growth up to £20,000 per year) and General Investment Accounts (no limits). ISAs are best for most investors as gains are completely tax-free.

We offer Stocks & Shares ISAs (tax-free growth up to £20,000 per year) and General Investment Accounts (no limits). ISAs are best for most investors as gains are completely tax-free.

Account Comparison:

2025/26 UK Tax Allowances:

Our recommendation:

For most people, start with an ISA. Use your £20,000 annual allowance before considering a GIA. The tax-free growth compounds significantly over time: over 30 years, avoiding CGT could add tens of thousands to your final pot.

Use both if possible. Pensions offer up to 45% tax relief on contributions but lock money until age 55/57. ISAs offer tax-free growth with full flexibility. Most people should max employer pension match first, then use ISAs.

Use both if possible. Pensions offer up to 45% tax relief on contributions but lock money until age 55/57. ISAs offer tax-free growth with full flexibility. Most people should max employer pension match first, then use ISAs.

Pension Tax Relief (2025/26):

Side-by-Side Comparison:

Recommended Strategy:

1. First: Contribute to pension up to employer match (free money) 2. Second: Pay off high-interest debt (credit cards, etc.) 3. Third: Build 3-6 months emergency fund in cash 4. Fourth: Max your £20,000 ISA allowance 5. Fifth: Additional pension contributions if higher-rate taxpayer

Both ISAs and pensions can hold vegan-screened investments: the tax wrapper doesn't affect your ethical options.

Yes, you can transfer existing ISAs from other providers while keeping your tax-free status. We handle the paperwork: transfers typically take 2-4 weeks and there's no charge from us.

Yes, you can transfer existing ISAs from other providers while keeping your tax-free status. We handle the paperwork: transfers typically take 2-4 weeks and there's no charge from us.

How ISA Transfers Work:

Important Transfer Rules:

Transfer Timelines:

Why transfer to vegan investing?

Your current ISA likely invests in factory farms, fossil fuels, and animal testing companies. Transferring aligns your investments with your values without losing any tax benefits.

Yes, you can transfer defined contribution pensions from previous employers. We review each pension for guaranteed benefits before recommending a transfer. Defined benefit (final salary) pensions should usually be kept.

Yes, you can transfer defined contribution pensions from previous employers. We review each pension for guaranteed benefits before recommending a transfer. Defined benefit (final salary) pensions should usually be kept.

Pensions You Can Typically Transfer:

What We Check Before Recommending Transfer:

Defined Benefit (Final Salary) Pensions:

We strongly recommend keeping defined benefit pensions. They guarantee income based on salary and service: extremely valuable. If you have one worth over £30,000, you legally require specialist advice to transfer.

Transfer Timeline:

Why align your pension with your values?

The average UK worker has multiple pensions from different jobs, often invested in standard funds that include animal agriculture and fossil fuels. Consolidating into vegan investments makes sense ethically and practically.

We charge 0.75% per year: that's £7.50 annually for every £1,000 invested. This all-in fee covers personal advice from chartered financial planners, ongoing portfolio management, and unlimited support. No setup fees, no exit fees, no transaction fees.

We charge 0.75% per year: that's £7.50 annually for every £1,000 invested. This all-in fee covers personal advice from chartered financial planners, ongoing portfolio management, and unlimited support. No setup fees, no exit fees, no transaction fees.

Complete Fee Breakdown:

What's Included in 0.75%:

What We Don't Charge:

Example Costs:

Our total cost of ~1.10% is significantly lower than traditional financial advisers who typically charge 1.5-2% annually plus initial fees up to 3%. Robo-advisers charge 0.6-0.9% but don't provide personal advice.

Our total cost of ~1.10% is significantly lower than traditional financial advisers who typically charge 1.5-2% annually plus initial fees up to 3%. Robo-advisers charge 0.6-0.9% but don't provide personal advice.

Industry Fee Comparison:

The Real Cost Over Time:

Small fee differences compound into huge sums:

Why We're Different:

No hidden costs. The underlying funds have their own charges (typically 0.2-0.4% per year), which is standard across all investment platforms. We don't add any markup to these fund costs.

No hidden costs. The underlying funds have their own charges (typically 0.2-0.4% per year), which is standard across all investment platforms. We don't add any markup to these fund costs.

All Costs Disclosed:

Costs We Never Charge:

Understanding Fund Costs:

The Ongoing Charges Figure (OCF) covers fund management and administration. We specifically select lower-cost funds: our average OCF of ~0.20% compares favourably to many ethical funds charging 0.8-1.5%.

Total Cost of Ownership:

When comparing providers, always calculate the total: platform + advice + fund costs. Some providers advertise low platform fees but use expensive funds, making the total higher.

We offer 5 risk-banded portfolios from Defensive (20% equities, 80% bonds) to Adventurous (100% equities). Your recommended portfolio is based on your timeline, capacity for loss, and emotional tolerance for market fluctuations.

We offer 5 risk-banded portfolios from Defensive (20% equities, 80% bonds) to Adventurous (100% equities). Your recommended portfolio is based on your timeline, capacity for loss, and emotional tolerance for market fluctuations.

Our Portfolio Range:

How We Determine Your Profile:

Historical Return Ranges (illustrative):

*Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. These ranges are illustrative based on historical data.*

The Right Portfolio:

The "best" portfolio isn't the highest risk: it's the one you'll stick with through market ups and downs. Many investors overestimate their tolerance and sell at the worst time.

Your portfolio will fall in value during market downturns: this is normal. Historically, every major crash has recovered. The key is staying invested: investors who sold during the 2020 COVID crash locked in losses while those who held recovered within 6 months.

Your portfolio will fall in value during market downturns: this is normal. Historically, every major crash has recovered. The key is staying invested: investors who sold during the 2020 COVID crash locked in losses while those who held recovered within 6 months.

Historical Market Crashes and Recoveries:

What We Do During Downturns:

What You Should Do:

The Maths of Missing Recovery:

Missing just the best 10 days over 20 years can halve your returns. These best days often occur right after the worst days: if you've sold, you miss the recovery.

Volatility is the price of admission for long-term returns. Your portfolio is designed for your risk tolerance: trust the process.

We monitor portfolios daily and rebalance when allocations drift more than 5% from targets. We also use new deposits to bring allocations back in line, minimising trading costs. This is included in your fee at no extra cost.

We monitor portfolios daily and rebalance when allocations drift more than 5% from targets. We also use new deposits to bring allocations back in line, minimising trading costs. This is included in your fee at no extra cost.

Our Rebalancing Approach:

Why Rebalancing Matters:

Without rebalancing, a 60/40 portfolio could become 75/25 after a stock market rally, exposing you to more risk than intended.

Smart Rebalancing Benefits:

What You See:

Your dashboard shows current vs target allocation. Small differences (1-4%) are normal and left alone to avoid unnecessary trading costs.

Click 'Get Started' and answer questions about your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance: this takes about 10 minutes. We'll recommend a portfolio suited to you, and you can open your account and start investing the same day.

Click 'Get Started' and answer questions about your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance: this takes about 10 minutes. We'll recommend a portfolio suited to you, and you can open your account and start investing the same day.

Step-by-Step Process:

What You'll Need:

After Completing Onboarding:

90% of identity checks are instant: most people don't need to upload any documents.

There's no minimum for one-off lump sum investments. For regular monthly contributions, we recommend at least £50/month to make investing worthwhile after fees.

There's no minimum for one-off lump sum investments. For regular monthly contributions, we recommend at least £50/month to make investing worthwhile after fees.

Investment Minimums:

Why £50/Month Makes Sense:

At smaller amounts, the fixed costs become proportionally higher. £50/month over 30 years at 7% growth becomes approximately £61,000, a meaningful sum from just £18,000 contributed.

The Power of Regular Investing:

*Illustrative figures at 7% annual growth*

Start Small, Increase Later:

The amount matters less than starting. Begin with what you can afford, then increase when your income grows. Many clients start at £50-100/month and increase over time.

Most accounts are opened within 24 hours. The onboarding questionnaire takes about 10 minutes. Once you've funded your account, your money is typically invested within 1-2 business days.

Most accounts are opened within 24 hours. The onboarding questionnaire takes about 10 minutes. Once you've funded your account, your money is typically invested within 1-2 business days.

Complete Timeline:

Identity Verification:

Tips for Fast Processing:

Suitability Report:

Before your money is invested, you'll receive a suitability report explaining why we've recommended your specific portfolio. This is a regulatory requirement and ensures you understand exactly what you're investing in.

Yes. Your investments are held with regulated custodians, completely separate from our business. Eligible investments are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000 per person. If anything happened to us, your investments would be unaffected.

Yes. Your investments are held with regulated custodians, completely separate from our business. Eligible investments are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000 per person. If anything happened to us, your investments would be unaffected.

Multiple Layers of Protection:

What FSCS Protects:

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme protects you if an FCA-authorised firm fails:

What Happens If Vegan Invest Stopped Trading:

1. Your investments continue to be held by the custodian 2. You could transfer to another adviser or go direct 3. Your ISA status and tax benefits are preserved 4. No impact on your investment value

Our Security Measures:

Yes. Altor Wealth (the company behind Vegan Invest) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means we must meet strict standards for client protection, conduct, and capital requirements.

Yes. Altor Wealth (the company behind Vegan Invest) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means we must meet strict standards for client protection, conduct, and capital requirements.

What FCA Regulation Means:

Our Regulatory Status:

Verify Our Status:

You can verify any firm's FCA authorisation at the [FCA Register](https://register.fca.org.uk/).

Additional Professional Standards:

Chartered status is the gold standard for financial planners in the UK. It requires passing Level 6 qualifications (degree-level), 5+ years experience, ongoing professional development, and adherence to a strict code of ethics requiring us to act in your best interests.

Chartered status is the gold standard for financial planners in the UK. It requires passing Level 6 qualifications (degree-level), 5+ years experience, ongoing professional development, and adherence to a strict code of ethics requiring us to act in your best interests.

Requirements for Chartered Status:

What This Means For You:

Chartered vs Other Advisers:

Our Team:

Vegan Invest is powered by Altor Wealth, whose team includes chartered financial planners with over 50 years of combined experience in wealth management and financial advice.

Yes. Your money is always accessible with no exit fees or penalties. Withdrawal requests are typically processed within 3-5 business days. For ISAs, remember that withdrawn money loses its tax-free status.

Yes. Your money is always accessible with no exit fees or penalties. Withdrawal requests are typically processed within 3-5 business days. For ISAs, remember that withdrawn money loses its tax-free status.

Withdrawal Timeline:

Withdrawal Details:

How Withdrawals Work:

ISA Withdrawal Warning:

⚠️ Money withdrawn from an ISA loses its tax-free status. You cannot put it back unless you have unused allowance for the current tax year.

GIA Considerations:

Selling investments in a GIA may trigger Capital Gains Tax if you've exceeded your £3,000 annual allowance. We provide CGT reports for your tax return.

You can make one-off top-ups anytime through your dashboard (minimum £100) or set up a regular monthly Direct Debit (minimum £50). Money is typically invested within 1-2 business days of receipt.

You can make one-off top-ups anytime through your dashboard (minimum £100) or set up a regular monthly Direct Debit (minimum £50). Money is typically invested within 1-2 business days of receipt.

Top-Up Options:

How to Make a One-Off Top-Up:

1. Go to your Dashboard 2. Click "Top Up" in Quick Actions 3. Enter amount (minimum £100) 4. Transfer via bank payment using your unique reference 5. Money invested within 1-2 days

Regular Contributions:

*Illustrative at 7% annual return*

ISA Allowance Tracking:

Remember: You can only contribute to one Stocks & Shares ISA per tax year. If you have one elsewhere, you'd need to transfer it.

Your online dashboard shows your current portfolio value, performance (time-weighted and money-weighted returns), detailed breakdown of holdings, transaction history, and documents. Log in anytime to check your progress.

Your online dashboard shows your current portfolio value, performance (time-weighted and money-weighted returns), detailed breakdown of holdings, transaction history, and documents. Log in anytime to check your progress.

Dashboard Features:

Performance Metrics:

Statements & Reports:

Our Recommendation:

Check quarterly, not daily. Short-term movements are noise: what matters is long-term progress toward your goals.

Yes: collectively, investor behaviour shapes corporate access to capital. When millions shift money to sustainable investments, polluting industries face higher borrowing costs while sustainable companies thrive. Research shows switching investments has 21x more climate impact than lifestyle changes.

Yes: collectively, investor behaviour shapes corporate access to capital. When millions shift money to sustainable investments, polluting industries face higher borrowing costs while sustainable companies thrive. Research shows switching investments has 21x more climate impact than lifestyle changes.

How Your Investment Creates Impact:

The Numbers:

Real-World Effects of Divestment:

Academic research from Stanford and other institutions shows that divestment campaigns measurably increase borrowing costs for targeted industries. When enough investors leave:

Beyond Carbon:

The more people invest ethically, the more powerful the collective effect.

We apply multiple layers: explicit exclusions of all animal exploitation (factory farming, testing, products), environmental exclusions (fossil fuels, deforestation), and a strict 5% revenue threshold, stricter than the 10% industry norm. Holdings are continuously monitored.

We apply multiple layers: explicit exclusions of all animal exploitation (factory farming, testing, products), environmental exclusions (fossil fuels, deforestation), and a strict 5% revenue threshold, stricter than the 10% industry norm. Holdings are continuously monitored.

Our Screening Layers:

Complete Exclusion List:

Why 5% Matters:

What We Favour:

We exclude all major meat producers (JBS, Tyson, WH Group), dairy companies (Danone, Nestlé dairy divisions), fast food chains (McDonald's, Yum! Brands), animal testing companies, fossil fuel majors (Shell, ExxonMobil, BP), weapons manufacturers, and tobacco companies.

We exclude all major meat producers (JBS, Tyson, WH Group), dairy companies (Danone, Nestlé dairy divisions), fast food chains (McDonald's, Yum! Brands), animal testing companies, fossil fuel majors (Shell, ExxonMobil, BP), weapons manufacturers, and tobacco companies.

Examples of Excluded Companies:

*Despite having plant-based divisions, majority revenue from animal products

Why These Matter:

A standard global equity fund holds many of these companies. Your old pension probably includes factory farm operators. Vegan investing ensures you don't profit from industries you oppose.

What We Do Include:

We build diversified portfolios from the remaining ethical universe.