The Origins of Asset Management from 1700 to 1960

This book explores the origins and development of the asset management profession in Britain as a distinct activity within financial services, independent of banks and stockbrokers. Specifically, it identifies the main individuals and institutions after 1868 who established the profession. The book draws a distinction between banks (short-term deposit-taking) and asset management (an investment service with longer-term objectives). It explains why some banks fail but asset management businesses generally do not. It argues that asset management has been socially useful and has had a beneficial impact on the development of securities markets by offering choices to savers as an alternative to banks, improving the efficiency of capital allocation, re-cycling excess savings productively and enabling a range of investors - from institutions to individuals - to benefit from thoughtful, long-term investing.

Nigel Edward Morecroft is a former asset management professional having spent most of his working life in institutional asset management. Previous appointments have included Partner at Baillie Gifford & Co. and Director at Foreign & Colonial Asset Management, having started his career at Wood Mackenzie & Co. Typically in his capacity as a trustee, Nigel currently applies his extensive experience in investments to a number of charities including the Charities Official Investment Funds (COIF) where he is a Director. He is also a Trustee and Member of the University Court at the University of St Andrews, UK.