James Minett retired in 2021 a Chartered FCSI (Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Securities Institute), having spent 41 of his 43-year Investment career working in the Square Mile of the City of London.
He managed directly invested charitable and not -for profit investment portfolios for Investec Wealth and Investment (now part of Rathbones). He joined Carr Sheppards in 1995, which was taken over by Investec and helped build a successful “charities team” which increased assets under management from 38th largest to 10th largest charities team*. One of their successes was to outperform the industry benchmark in 14 years out of an 18-year period, by an average of 1% in the positive years and 2% in the negative years. James sat on asset allocation committees for 10 years and UK stock selection committees for 15 years.
James was born in London, the son of a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy. But when only 4 moved to Norfolk as his father retired to manage the 3-generation family building firm. He attended Langley School, near Loddon.
As son of a builder, James saw the economic vagaries brought on the construction industry during the turbulent 1960’s and 70’s. The need for economic foresight and effective management to run a profitable business fascinated him and, after leaving school and spending 4 months travelling in the US, he joined Norwich Union’s Investment Department in Norwich.
18 months later he joined stockbroking firm Rowe and Pitman on the 16th floor of the Stock Exchange building in London, with the vibrant stock market floor below.
James is member 34 of the Guild of Investment Managers, joining in January 2018. He was Master of the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers in 2024-5. He advised their Investment Committee for about 10 years before joining the Plaisterers in 2007 and subsequently became chair of that committee.