Neil Birrell: A crisis in the life of a fund manager

'Not exciting'

clock • 4 min read

Neil Birrell has seen a number of market crises as a fund manager and here he discusses what it is like to manage people's money through extreme market stress...

Over the past few weeks I've been asked quite a number of times about what fund managers actually do during periods of extreme market stress, even up to the point if this is what we live for and find exciting. It is certainly not what we live for or find exciting; it may be if you have a very strong view expressed in your portfolio positioning and profit from the market moves, however, most funds are more mainstream. I find what I do is worry - all the time. I have seen more market crises than I am willing to admit and while it is possible to draw comparisons with what might happen wi...

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 Investment

AJ Bell posts record rise in platform flows as AUA hits £108.7bn

AJ Bell posts record rise in platform flows as AUA hits £108.7bn

Net flows up 42%

Cristian Angeloni
clock 23 April 2026 • 2 min read
Why advisers should adopt Gaudi's 'my client is not in a hurry' approach

Why advisers should adopt Gaudi's 'my client is not in a hurry' approach

Dan Brocklebank makes keynote speech at PA360

Isabel Baxter
clock 23 April 2026 • 2 min read
Four Asian investment lessons in the face of turmoil

Four Asian investment lessons in the face of turmoil

South Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia have suffered some of the biggest falls since the start of the war

Gabriel Sacks
clock 23 April 2026 • 4 min read