Talking with … Aviva Investors' David Cumming

Square Mile’s series of informal interviews

clock • 7 min read

Aviva Investors chief investment officer David Cumming talks active management and activist investing, information advantages and playing the piano, with Richard Romer-Lee

How did you get into the industry? Markets have power - more than people imagine. So when I left university, having read economics, I joined Royal London. I was more interested in macroeconomics than companies at the time, as well as economic strategy in less developed countries. That was in 1983 and I placed my first trade within three weeks of joining. That wouldn't happen nowadays. I ran my own fund - a UK income fund - at Edinburgh Fund Managers a couple of years later. What makes a good equity fund manager? Being emotionally dispassionate and being aware of, but not involved wit...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on People

Bell named pensions minister as Reynolds replaces Siddiq

Bell named pensions minister as Reynolds replaces Siddiq

Follows Tulip Siddiq's resignation

Jen Frost
clock 14 January 2025 • 2 min read
Tulip Siddiq resigns as economic secretary following weeks of pressure

Tulip Siddiq resigns as economic secretary following weeks of pressure

Relates to alleged Bangladeshi financial links

Eve Maddock-Jones
clock 14 January 2025 • 1 min read
Kingswood names Peter Coleman permanent CEO

Kingswood names Peter Coleman permanent CEO

Former Succession CCO secures top job

Jen Frost
clock 10 January 2025 • 2 min read