Investor Self-Certification | Sustainable Times
top of page

Before receiving business plans or beginning to make angel investments, you should ensure that you are self-certified as either a High Net Worth or Sophisticated Investor, as defined by the FCA under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA)

​

As an individual investor or angel under the FCA Financial Promotions Order, you are entitled to receive business plans and make investments through your own decision, provided that you are able to certify yourself as either a High Net Worth Individual or a Sophisticated Investor.

​

HIGH NET WORTH INVESTOR STATEMENT

 

I make this statement so that I can receive promotional communications which are exempt from the restriction on promotion of non-mainstream pooled investments. The exemption relates to certified high net worth investors and I declare that I qualify as such because at least one of the following applies to me:

 

  • I had, throughout the financial year immediately preceding the date below, an annual income to the value of £100,000 or more. Annual income for these purposes does not include money withdrawn from my pension savings (except where the withdrawals are used directly for income in retirement).

​

  • I held, throughout the financial year immediately preceding the date below, net assets to the value of £250,000 or more. Net assets for these purposes do not include:

 

(a) the property which is my primary residence or any money raised through a loan secured on that property; or

 

(b) any rights of mine under a qualifying contract of insurance; or

 

(c) any benefits (in the form of pensions or otherwise) which are payable on the termination of my service or on my death or retirement and to which I am (or my dependants are), or may be, entitled; or

 

(d) any withdrawals from my pension savings (except where the withdrawals are used directly for income in retirement).

 

I accept that the investments to which the promotions will relate may expose me to a significant risk of losing all of the money or other property invested. I am aware that it is open to me to seek advice from an authorised person who specialises in advising on non-mainstream pooled investments.

​

SELF-CERTIFIED SOPHISTICATED INVESTOR STATEMENT

 

I declare that I am a self-certified sophisticated investor for the purposes of the restriction on promotion of non-mainstream pooled investments. I understand that this means:  

 

  • I can receive promotional communications made by a person who is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority which relate to investment activity in non-mainstream pooled investments;

​

  • the investments to which the promotions will relate may expose me to a significant risk of losing all of the property invested.

 

I am a self-certified sophisticated investor because at least one of the following applies:

 

  • I am a member of a network or syndicate of business angels and have been so for at least the last six months;

  • I have made more than one investment in an unlisted company in the two years prior to the date below;

  • I am working, or have worked in the two years prior to the date below, in a professional capacity in the private equity sector, or in the provision of finance for small and medium enterprises;

  • I am currently, or have been in the two years prior to the date below, a director of a company with an annual turnover of at least £1 million.

 

I accept that the investments to which the promotions will relate may expose me to a significant risk of losing all of the money or other property invested. I am aware that it is open to me seek advice from someone who specialises in advising on non-mainstream pooled investments.

bottom of page