If we are ever going to get out of this financial mess, entrepreneurs respected for their ability to make money, as opposed to politicians, will need to commit their reputations to the rescue of financial institutions. Entrepreneurs, in short, like Johann Rupert.

Confirmation has emerged that the managers of Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking are about to agree a deal to buy their operation from the bankruptcy estate of the failed bank, with backing from Rupert's listed Reinet Investments.