As you might deduce from the above quote, Jim is one of those annoyingly optimistic fellows who can’t wait to get out of the bed in the morning. He can often be heard saying things like, “Living standards have increased to the point that even the poorest in the industrialized world today have more than the King of England in 1500.” This is just one of the fun ‘Jim facts’ that fill our days. And while he never tires of gushing about this being his “dream job,” we should mention that, according to Jim, if he couldn’t do this he’d be a tugboat operator. He does not elaborate on that point.

Having spent more than 30 years in the world of finance and management, Jim exhibits a level of passion and motivation that we can only describe as “Jim Atkinson-like.” His level of expertise is rivaled only by his drive to expand his understanding of the global community. We estimate that he will tire of this as soon as he knows everything there is to know in the universe.

As a Founder of Guinness Atkinson Funds, Jim has been instrumental in developing the company’s philosophy and in identifying the core fund themes of human progress and profound change. For Jim, there’s never been a better time to be a human being, and this attitude shines through in everything he does. Even very early in the morning, before we’ve had caffeine.

Trend not to be overlooked: We can’t afford to miss the potential dominance of Asia and China.

As a Founder and the Chief Investment Officer of Guinness Atkinson Funds, Tim Guinness is a logic-based value investor with nearly 40 years of experience. He believes in hard work and discipline, subjecting stocks to a gauntlet of due diligence. His investment strategy, a draw not only for investors but also for those joining his team, involves a combination of crunching the numbers into a fine powder, constantly reviewing sectors and sub-sectors for profitability and growth potential, and staying sharply focused on the themes of global transformation and profound change.

Tim’s investment strategy also involves riding his bicycle to work in the morning – demonstrating a passion for life that equals his love for numbers. In fact, he founded the company on the basic principal that investment opportunities could be enhanced by focusing on specific global themes that are changing our lives today and will continue to do so long into the future. Tim and co-founder Jim Atkinson have an ongoing contest to see who can generate the most enthusiasm. Soon they will have to take out warehouse space to store it all.

Trend not to be overlooked: Energy demand growth in the developing world, which will likely be met by both traditional sources, like oil and gas, and renewable sources, like wind and solar.

Having managed the Asia Funds for over 14 years both from London and from Hong Kong, Edmund Harriss is dedicated to understanding the agents of change. It’s about making ourselves ready for the new world that is unfolding in front of our eyes. For Edmund there is nothing quite like studying companies and making the right investment call. He welcomes the sense of responsibility to all the people invested in his funds. He embraces that trust that has been placed in him, relishes the challenge, and enjoys nothing more than to deliver on those hopes.

In the process of translating grand transformational themes into a stock portfolio, Edmund seeks to understand businesses and to forecast a range of outcomes before making a final investment decision.

Trend not to be overlooked: Demographic change. The populations of the developed world are getting older while the developing economies are now the source of new workers. This trend presages a major shift in the balance of economic power in the world.

It’s important to Edward Guinness to be part of a company that sets itself apart by thinking creatively. Edward manages our Alternative Energy Fund, which provides one of the best opportunities for the company to leverage its creative mindset.

Increase in global energy supply is essential for continued improvements to living standards throughout the world.  And with the prospect of electric vehicles, we expect electricity consumption in 20 years to be considerably higher than forecast today by the International Energy Agency, as historic demand forecasts have usually proved to be conservative.

Edward watches market trends unblinkingly, paying particular attention to new developments, resource shifts and innovations relating to alternative as well as mainstream energy. His experience and insight in identifying trends and his ability to combine forward thinking with traditional values such as hard work and discipline make him a good match for this fund.

Trend not to be overlooked: Growth in global electricity demand.

Massive, overwhelming quantities of data are a welcome sight to Dr. Ian Mortimer. With a background in physics and the skills he picked up while getting his doctorate—such as logical thinking, math, and data analysis—he is able to recognize patterns and meaning where others may see only chaos and noise.  Ian uses these skills on a daily basis at Guinness Atkinson.

His passion for his investment areas (Energy, Innovation, Dividends) helps keep him in tune with what’s happening throughout the world in all areas impacting global progress. He pays strict attention to stock price fluctuations and their constant movement as he analyzes the market. Yet for as much as he looks at the numbers when researching a potential investment opportunity, he also relies on personal interactions, analyzing a company’s passion, commitment, and potential success through the attitudes and actions of their corporate management.

Trend not to be overlooked: Companies’ ability to consistently innovate, with technologies, distribution chains or process efficiencies.

Matthew Page, CFA has found identifying quality companies at good market valuations to be critical elements in selecting the companies he invests in. Whether an investor is seeking growth or income, he aims to find companies that demonstrate potential for a bright future.

As Co-Manager of the Global Innovators Fund and Dividend Builder Fund, Matthew lives with one foot in the future. He is hyper-vigilant when it comes to identifying innovations that will potentially advance the human condition.

Matthew believes that new investment opportunities present themselves to the informed, diligent and observant researcher. He has always found that insight is a product of hard work.

Trend not to be overlooked: Global demographic shifts that are driving demand for income producing assets.

Will Riley has a mind for finance and a passion for global energy. With over twelve years in finance and eight years of valuation analysis, his goal is to find the most attractive investments across the global energy spectrum.

While mainstream energy is clearly an issue of central importance today, Will believes that interest in the sector will increase markedly as the combination of growing demand and dwindling supply signals a continued rise in energy prices. His simple enjoyment of analysis and his enthusiasm for the market continually drive him to find lucrative opportunities. And while he can spend hours pouring over spreadsheets and analyzing data, he also thrives on the spirited debates of the Guinness Atkinson team—a cornerstone of our investment process.

Trend not to be overlooked: The breadth of growth in oil demand across the developing world, not just from China.

Jonathan Waghorn is well known and regarded in the energy sector for his rigorous and disciplined investment process. With over 17 years of experience working in the energy investment sector, his investment process is one that has been sharply honed.

With a master’s degree in physics, Jonathan is able to bring a highly analytical and tactical approach to observing the always evolving energy market. As an accomplished energy equity researcher and portfolio manager, he thrives on analyzing data trends in order to find exciting investment opportunities. His unrivaled passion for energy and its importance in the ongoing evolution of the world’s population makes him a valuable member of the Guinness Atkinson team.

Trend not to be overlooked: the inability of the world’s producing countries to deliver sufficient oil and gas volumes to satisfy the long term demand outlook

References to other funds should not be considered an offer of these securities.