As Tax Year End Nears, Bestinvest’s Latest ‘Best Funds List’ Highlights the Top Fund Picks Favoured by its Research Specialists

With less than five weeks until tax year end on midnight April 5, DIY investors looking to top-up their Individual Savings Account (ISA) or personal pensions to maximise the tax-efficiency of their savings and investments may welcome some expert guidance on how to navigate the vast range of investment options available. 

Even then, with so much choice - and set against a backdrop of renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East - making the right decision can be daunting, even for the savviest investors. This is where The Best Funds List can help – a guide to the top fund, investment trust and Exchange-Traded-Product picks to invest in. Created by Bestinvest, the award-winning investment platform and coaching service, the latest edition helps to narrow the field by offering investors ideas across a broad range of markets and sectors.    

The List taps into the expertise of the more than 300 investment management professionals at Evelyn Partners – one of the UK’s leading wealth managers with £69 billion assets under management and the parent firm behind Bestinvest. It not only highlights our specialists’ preferred picks in each sector but also features a range of investment styles, including actively managed funds, low-cost passive options and strategies with environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations. These are the same investments used within the portfolios managed by Evelyn Partners for its own clients.      

Our latest batch of 144 ‘Best Funds’ includes: 

• 112 actively managed investments - 85 funds and 27 investment companies and trusts - selected for their potential to deliver long-term, market-beating returns  

• 48 passive options, including both traditional index tracker funds and Exchange Traded Products, suited to fee-conscious investors  

• 11 ESG-focused investments, for those wishing to align portfolios with environmental sustainability, social or ethical criteria 

Jason Hollands, Managing Director at Bestinvest, said: “Tax efficiency has rarely mattered more when you consider the record UK tax burden and raft of changes to how pensions, savings and investments are taxed in recent years. From the Autumn Budget decision to extend the freeze on income tax thresholds until April 2031 to the looming 2-percentage point increases to dividend tax rates from April 6 2026, and to savings and property income tax from April 2027, these measures will significantly increase personal tax burdens in the coming years. Look further back, and the rise in Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rates in October 2024 added pressure for investors already impacted by major cuts to both the CGT annual exemption and the Dividend Allowance under the previous Conservative Government. 

"As a result of the changes, we expect many investors will choose to make the most of their tax-free ISA and pensions allowances in the run-up to tax year end, just as they did last year. And those with children or grandchildren under the age of 18, should not forget Junior ISAs too. While the deadline is fast approaching, there is no need to panic. Choosing investments in a rush can feel overwhelming, especially if you are trying to make decisions aligned with long-term financial goals in a hurry – and against a backdrop of market volatility amid the current conflict in the Middle East. 

“Investors should remember two things: First, securing the allowance before the deadline is the most important step at this stage. There is no need to make a hasty choice as the account can initially be funded with cash, allowing people to take time to make a more considered decision. Plus, remember money held in cash can still attract a competitive interest rate on the Bestinvest platform of 2.98% while investors make their investment picks.   

“Second, Stocks & Shares ISAs and pensions are for the medium to longer term. Investors should not be put off by short-term uncertainties and news headlines. The conflict in the Middle East is undoubtedly concerning, but periods of volatility in the financial markets are something to be expected. Only last year we saw a period of turbulence following President Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff announcements. While we expect markets to continue to be erratic in the near-term, it is important to focus on building a well-diversified portfolio, aligned to your risk appetite and time horizon, that is able to withstand short-term market shocks. 

“This is where The Best Funds List can offer some inspiration. The List offers a curated selection of funds that our research team believes stands out in their respective categories. So, once an ISA or pension is funded, investors can scour the 144 investment options on The List and select the right investments to meet their desired savings goals, risk tolerance and time horizons, which will also fit alongside existing holdings.” 

Deciding which funds qualify as “best” is a process grounded in the expertise of our investment specialists, as selections are never based solely on past performance. Our team meets fund managers regularly to evaluate their investment philosophy, risk-management approach and ability to navigate different market conditions. Additional factors, such as fund size, scalability of the strategy and manager tenure are also assessed to ensure every fund on The List has been rigorously vetted.    

Hollands added: “Including passive options alongside funds, listed investment companies and trusts ensures The List stands apart from some other platform ‘best buy’ lists, which typically focus on open-ended funds. We also feature choices for investors who want their portfolios to align with their ESG preferences, which remains a priority for some.”    

The Best Funds List is published twice a year, but it is never static with investments added or removed throughout the year. Changes may occur if we believe a fund has become oversized or now requires a different management style to stay on track. Any updates to the List are immediately reflected on the Bestinvest website. Details of the newest additions and removals compared with the previous edition published in September can be found on Page 5.             

Hollands added: “Ultimately, this List is designed to offer ideas and inspiration to investors looking to make informed decisions about new investments, while ensuring these complement any existing holdings. Investors seeking more guidance on their investment strategy beyond The List can book a free virtual coaching session with a financial coach at Bestinvest.”