Gilbert named number two on Harvard’s world asset management list

Martin Gilbert, the founder and chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management has been named one of the top performing chief executives in the world by the prestigious Harvard Business Review.

Mr Gilbert founded AAM in 1983 and earlier this year merged the firm with Edinburgh-based financial giant Standard Life to create one of the UK’s largest asset management firms.

The latest Harvard Business Review rankings cover the period to the end of 2016 so Mr Gilbert is still listed at Aberdeen Asset Management even though he is now co-chief executive of Standard Life Aberdeen following the merger.

The Review placed him as the second highest ranked chief executive officer (CEO) of an asset management firm, coming second only to American financial guru Larry Fink of Blackrock.

Mr Gilbert was also the third highest ranked CEO of any British firm after Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP and Richard Cousins of FTSE 100 catering group Compass.

Mr Gilbert said: “From being a mere start-up in 1983 it is amazing to see Aberdeen Asset Management listed among so many fantastic multi-nationals.

“The focus may be on the chief executive but in reality they are only as good as the team they have around them. I have been very fortunate to work with some great people over the years who have been key to helping build Aberdeen.

“It is also the people that makes me so positive about the new combined business, Standard Life Aberdeen.”