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Abrdn CEO Stephen Bird: ‘I’m very respectful … But I’m very challenging, and I should be’

Bird defended his leadership and said allegations that he had an aggressive management style — reported last month by The Sunday Times — were 'very difficult to read' and 'not the lived experience of the company'

Stephen Bird, the chief executive of Abrdn, has implemented big changes as the business shifts focus to three key areas: investments, advisers and personal wealth
Stephen Bird, the chief executive of Abrdn, has implemented big changes as the business shifts focus to three key areas: investments, advisers and personal wealth Photo: Getty Images

Stephen Bird, the chief executive of Abrdn, had just touched down in the UK from a business trip to Japan when allegations surfaced about his management style. Several anonymous current and former staffers said that he presided over a dysfunctional environment and that senior leaders are afraid of him.

“I’ve been running businesses of this size — and larger — for 25 years and never had any complaints,” Bird told Financial News in an interview from his City office.

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