There are so many more ways to invest your money as a business leader than stocks, shares, and bonds. While there are plenty of ways that you can make an investment in each of these traditional classes of assets, more and more leaders are looking to actively expand their horizons.
This is chiefly driven by a desire to diversify existing holdings and portfolios, but also because alternative investments may align with other areas of interest for the individual.
In this guide, we’re going to look at some of the most common alternative investments and then explain which one is our top pick for 2026.
Renewable energy infrastructure
ECO4 and Net Zero are just two of the initiatives that are getting considerable funding from the top down, and there will likely be many more in the years ahead. For this reason, the time may well be right to start thinking in more detail about investing in renewable energy infrastructure.
If we take the example of the ban on new petrol and diesel cars in the UK and the shift to electric cars, we need to think about where all of that extra power is going to be generated. Business leaders who are able to buy strategically placed land that can then be leased to solar farms, for example, may be able to put themselves in a strong financial position.
Collectibles and commodities
People have been investing in things like gold and sports memorabilia for decades, and there are also many more who have followed their passion and invested in cask whisky. The key with these types of investments is to establish a relationship, perform due diligence, and make sure that you fully verify with a Delivery Order before making an investment.
“One of the key questions that would-be investors shouldn’t be afraid to ask any company they’re looking to invest with is ‘Can I meet you? Can I spend some time with you and get to know who you are?’” – Alphie Valentine, Co-founder of Hackstons, specialists who provide opportunities for whisky investment and consumption through their Knightsbridge retail experience.
Residential and community properties
The UK has an ageing population and a falling birthrate, and these factors combined will create a perfect storm for a massive increase in old-age care requirements. Communal living facilities and residential care facilities for older members of society are very likely to be under increasing pressure as the decade continues. Leaders who take a long-term approach and look to build or part own such facilities may well find themselves in a position where they can then offer their services to the government on favourable terms for an extended period of time.
Data centers and associated infrastructure
Just because you are not the CEO of a Silicon Valley tech company doesn’t mean you can’t open the door to profiting from a data center. With the rise of AI and the continuous expansion of the cloud, data centers and their associated infrastructure are going to become a bigger and bigger business. Owning the land, acquiring a stake in the project, or even building a stake in one or more of the services the facility uses could be a solid position to adopt in the years ahead.
Digital assets and crypto investments
This is the highest risk category covered in this guide, but in the interests of completeness, we need to at least touch upon it. The volatile nature of digital assets and the large number of failures in the industry mean that a pragmatic approach is needed to control risk exposure. But if you are someone who is interested in taking an unconventional approach to diversification, you may find that a closer look is insightful.
The Verdict: Which asset class to consider in 2026
Providing you verify the nature and exact condition of the asset, cask whisky offers the best balance of risk, reward, enjoyment, and long-term stability when looking at the options on our list. That said, there are scams run in every industry, and especially those where scammers know that many investors choose investments they are passionate about and have a personal interest in. For this reason, it is essential to look for social proof and an established reputation, such as the one you will find when you take a look at Hackstons on Trustpilot.
We hope that by working through this guide at your own pace, you will be able to find ways to diversify your portfolio that you feel comfortable with.