Ten years ago London-based Morgan Grenfell Asset Management was voted top European fund group by a Financial News panel of consultants. At its zenith the firm arguably represented the finest collection of investment minds assembled in Europe, a theory borne out by the fact that its alumni hold pivotal positions in at least 10 of the worldâÂÂs largest asset gatherers, plus several boutiques.
Things went well when the team pulled together. But poor stewardship by its German owners, hubris, in-fighting and the activities of a transsexual fund manager meant its expertise scattered, and the company disappeared in less than a decade.
