When are you likely to need the money, and how much notice pre-exit will you be able to give. I know you say that you can invest for 1+ years, but without a much clearer idea of when you might need the money and how much notice you can give it is impossible to determine what product and investment strategy is most suitable.
I am hoping not to need the money untul retirement or after. This would be 15 years time. I would hope to put into safer cash bonds i think these are 1 or 2, coming up to retirement. I would get a lump sum on retirement so I hope to use this money gradually a few years after retirement.
I have no childcare expenses so I want to save for the next few years while I still hsve the energy to work full time.