Decade after decade we have been the first to spot trends in the market and to provide customers with the products that they need. After launching the UK’s first unit trust in 1931 we went on to introduce the UK’s first regular savings plan in which you could invest from just five shillings. In the 1960s, when man first set foot on the moon, we pioneered the first fund–linked product for private pensions and whilst the public got used to decimalisation in the 1970s, we launched the first Japanese unit trust.
Fast forward to the 1990s and we led the way in bonds: we launched the first pure corporate bond fund and the first high-yield corporate bond fund. After our expertise was recognised by Prudential, one of the largest providers of financial services in Europe, we were bought by them and became their investment manager. Now, in the ‘Noughties’, we are bringing the world of commercial property to our retail investors, launching the first of the 'next generation' of cautious managed funds, pioneering in the Leveraged Finance area and offering some of the first Collaterised Debt Obligations (CDOs) seen in Europe.
Today as we celebrate 75 years of success we acknowledge that now more than ever, the ability to adapt is vital if we are to meet the changing needs of our clients and the investment marketplace. The loyalty of our investors is key to our success both now and in the future and we remain committed to delivering strong performance coupled with the highest levels of service.