The Levelheaded Investor

My family had the privilege of working with Michael on wealth succession planning. In his book, Michael skilfully captures the fundamental principles and core insights to equip the next generation with the conversations, knowledge and values necessary to have a good relationship with money and help with the transition of family wealth.

Lionel Sauvage, philanthropist, vice chairman of Abraham Path Initiative and board member of the Society of Friends of the Louvre

This book speaks from Michael’s lived experience of advising over the years. It inspires by blending wellbeing and life coaching aspects with sound financial metrics. It reminded me that the starting point should be the ‘Why?’ and that financial outcomes should be subservient to that, not the other way round. It also encouraged a deeper exploration of how the lessons learnt from it could be applied to my own professional client work. 

Andrew Playle, head of private wealth, Mills & Reeve LLP

I have known Michael Aitken and invested my savings with him for over 20 years. His description of the role of a financial advisor is wise and to the point, describing what to look out for and what to avoid. Better than that, I can testify from long personal experience that he practises what he writes up as best practice. Perhaps, for me, the most useful parts of his book are his chapters on allocation and diversification. They have that rare quality in financial advice of being clear, sensible and well argued. The book is easy to read, full of very practical advice, backed up with real life examples as well as empirical evidence from academic and practitioner research. 

Lord Carrington of Fulham

Anyone seeking to make sense of their financial life based on decades of in-the-trenches wisdom is going to benefit from The Levelheaded Investor. Based on his deep experience as an advisor, Michael Aitken shares a sound framework for thinking through what we want, how we best achieve it and how we evade the most difficult barriers to financial wellbeing. 

Brian Portnoy, founder of Shaping Wealth and author of The Geometry of Wealth

Michael Aitken has a deep understanding of finance and wealth management, but here he takes a complex subject and makes it accessible. His experience and capability are clear to see, as is his passion for improving the lives of others. British investors should celebrate the arrival of this book, not just as a good read, but as a practical step-by-step guide to a more prosperous and fulfilling life. Generations of investors will thank him for this work!  

David Andrew, founder and CEO, Capital Partners Private Wealth Advisers and author of Wealth with Purpose

Michael has written a compelling guide to investing for success. One size does not fit all. His book will guide you to what’s best for who you are and want to become and how to get there with simple and clear guidelines. Early thoughts on strategies for investing and spending are key. Then avoid overthinking or over preparing: Michael can also help with the reset when the unexpected happens, good and bad. Above all, to become a levelheaded investor and spender you must develop and stay true to the right mindset. It’s here that Michael’s advice on how to think and the pitfalls to avoid is invaluable so you live and love the life he helps you choose. 

Sir Andrew Mackenzie

Although most of us dream about a financially secure, purposeful and enjoyable future, the challenges of trying to work out how we can get there - and what we need to do along the way - means that it often gets put on the ‘too difficult, I’ll do it later’ pile.  With his vast experience in helping people to make their dreams a reality, Mike has written a magnificent book that leads you through the steps you need to take to get there, providing a clear, insightful and pragmatic framework to follow.  This book may well be the difference between the life you want to lead and one that you don’t. Read it, engage with it and benefit from it.

Tim Hale, author of Smarter Investing and founder of Albion Strategic Consulting.

How refreshing to read a finance book that so carefully considers the emotional element that underlies our financial behaviour and choices. In a world where we are bombarded by (at times contradictory) investment advice, this book is grounding. It offers an approach that is clear, well-structured with advice that is evidence-based and explained in a way that even an inexperienced investor can understand. But most importantly, it starts with the bigger picture: helping us articulate our wider dreams, hopes and aspirations so that we can then, from there, think of money as an enabler. This isn’t just a book for investors. It’s for advisors too, as Mike emphasises an aspect of the work that is all too often neglected: the emotional side. Clients need advisors who really understand where they are trying to get to (and not just financially) so they can best advise them. And they need advisors who they can trust because a good working alliance facilitates a helpful collaboration, one in which clients share their concerns and can be told when they are about to make a mistake.

Vicky Reynal  - Financial Psychotherapist and author of Money on your Mind

The investor Warren Buffett has famously quipped that investing is "simple, but not easy". Like dieting, we know what we need to do but sticking to it is fiendishly difficult. Luckily, Michael Aitken's book is a practical, accessible, crisp and, yes, level-headed guide to what you need to know, do and avoid to secure the greatest odds of long term financial success. Distilling over three decades of coalface experience as a financial advisor into one book is a hard task, but with The Levelheaded Investor, Michael has made what is an off-putting subject to many both simple and easy.

Robin Wigglesworth, financial journalist and author of Trillions.

Not only is this a manual for the Levelheaded Investor but very clear introduction of the priorities which must be borne in mind when deploying your hard-earned wealth in a sustainable way – this is the key to Michael’s Magus magic. 

Roy Campbell, senior partner, Druces LLP