We’ve been in high spirits at GBI Magazine as we recently unveiled the 50th edition of our magazine! It’s a perfect moment to look back on our incredible journey.
In this special retrospective, our very own Paul Wilson charts GBI’s evolution, from a humble supplement to today’s standalone title which proudly leads the way in the dynamic and rewarding world of tax-efficient investments.
Humble Beginnings: From Supplement to Standalone Title
GBI Magazine’s journey began in 2010 as a special print supplement within sister-title IFA Magazine, spotlighting tax-efficient investments like the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), Seed EIS, Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs), and Business Relief (BR) for professional financial advisers.
What started as an occasional feature in IFA Magazine quickly evolved, into regular supplements which proved very popular with advisers. This growing popularity was fuelled by rising interest in supporting UK industry — especially after the Brexit referendum in 2016.
The Brexit Catalyst and GBI’s Launch
With the “Yes” vote to leave the EU, demand for insights into tax-efficient investments surged. In response, GBI launched as a standalone title, with its first quarterly print issue previewed in December 2016, ready for a full launch in January 2017. The name “GBI” — standing for “Great British Investments” — captured the spirit of optimism and the evolving UK economic landscape.
Maturing Markets and Investor Confidence
Brexit has remained a complex, often divisive topic, but as we mark this milestone of 50 issues of this magazine, we’ve had the privilege of a front row seat in witnessing the tax-efficient investment sector mature and integrate into mainstream financial planning here in the UK. As investors gained confidence through successful exits and established track records, IFAs have seized on the opportunities to use these vehicles as a vital part of building diverse, high-performing portfolios that offer clients long-term growth prospects in a highly tax efficient way.
Advocacy and Industry Collaboration
We’ve worked closely with EISA and many other industry leaders, as well as MPs, to understand market needs, advocate for the sector, and navigate the political landscape — a commitment that remains core to our mission today.
As more speculative investments like cryptocurrency emerged, HMRC-approved tax-efficient products became even more appealing for the advice community, balancing growth potential with built-in risk mitigation. With banks increasingly risk-averse and crowdfunding fading, structured investments with robust oversight are more relevant than ever.
A Clear Editorial Mission
From the outset, GBI’s editorial mission was clear: to champion the value of tax-efficient investments amongst the financial advice community, not just for their financial rewards but for their contributions to job creation and the broader UK economy. We positioned ourselves as a campaigning platform, helping advisers understand and embrace these schemes amid shifting economic tides and evolving tax policies.
Evolving with the Times: Digital Transformation and Resources
By 2020, we had expanded beyond print, creating digital resources like free search tools for IFAs and comprehensive annual reports like the GBI Yearbook. Our content evolved to meet the needs of a digitally savvy audience while maintaining our commitment to high-quality print — offering advisers the “long read” experience they value for thoughtful, in-depth analysis. Our resources have recently been extended still further, with the production of special reports into VCTs, BPR, EIS/SEIS and IHT estate planning solutions using these tax-efficient investments.
Staying Relevant: Embracing New Trends
We’ve embraced emerging trends, covering topics like Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR) and ESG investing, and forged partnerships with industry leaders like Blackfinch Ventures. Our regular social media polls and reader feedback loops keep us agile, ensuring we stay relevant in a fast-changing market. GBI’s regular podcast conversations have been a great way for us to engage with some of the leaders of this dynamic sector. And of course, our online coverage of the latest news and views in the space continues to enjoy plenty of attention from advisers and paraplanners. In case you need a reminder, you can find all our great coverage HERE https://ifamagazine.com/gbi-great-british-investments/
A Balanced Approach: Print and Digital Harmony
By 2025, GBI Magazine had grown into a trusted voice, producing regular magazines digitally, alongside special supplements, navigating rising publishing costs and digital competition with a balanced approach.
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter
As we celebrate our 50th issue, we’re not just looking back — we’re looking forward. The next exciting chapter of GBI Magazine will be shaped by the same spirit of adaptability, advocacy, and passion for empowering financial advisers. We’ve certainly enjoyed the journey so far – and we hope you have too.
Here’s to the next 50 issues and the continued evolution of the financial planning and advice profession as well as the tax-efficient investment sector. Onwards and upwards we go!
About Paul Wilson
Paul is a Director and Managing Partner at Clifton Media Lab, the organisation which sits behind GBI Magazine, as well as its sister titles IFA Magazine and WealthDFM.
Paul is a serial entrepreneur, who has built and sold a regional IFA business and an M&A business, as well as founding and successfully disposing of businesses in other sectors such as advanced materials, construction and development.
Within the advice sector, Paul has worked as an adviser, progressing via compliance and, unusually, also via sales management to the senior management of a large national advice firm before co-founding a regional IFA firm. On disposal of that, he assisted in the founding of IFA Magazine, later taking that over.
His personal interests are in film, in which he completed an MA ten years ago, as well as art, photography, economics and science.
