Overview

Founded in 1823, Cazenove & Co. was the most prestigious stockbroking firm in the City of London, celebrated for its fabled placing power and for its unrivalled network of client relationships. Fiercely independent, the firm had always maintained a low profile, shunning the press and refusing to disclose details of its own affairs or those of its clients.  When Big Bang revolutionised the City in 1986, Cazenove was the only one of the major stockbroking partnerships to stand apart from the merger frenzy which followed, rejecting the conventional wisdom of the day and resolutely following its own path. So the City was stunned when, in November 2000, Cazenove announced that it would abandon its partnership structure, raise external capital and list its shares on the London Stock Exchange. Robert Pickering led the firm, as Chief Executive, throughout this period, working closely with City legend David Mayhew, as the pair sought to define Cazenove’s future in an industry which was becoming increasingly dominated by huge international banks.  Blue Blood is a first-hand account by a senior City insider of what it feels like to manage an investment bank through a period of tumultuous change and of the cultural differences between a private British firm and a hard-charging American bank. Full of insights and wisdom, Blue Blood is not only a compelling story about a City icon but also contains numerous anecdotes about the well-known City and Wall Street figures who the author met during the course of his long City career.

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9781915635716

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Reviews

‘Blue Blood encapsulates the City’s evolution in modern times.’ – Spectator ‘Blue Blood is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the City’s recent history – particularly its thriving heyday in the 1980s and 1990s…an enlightening insight on how the City of London was transformed.’ – Financial Times ‘Highly readable’ – Bloomberg ‘Fascinating’ – The Economist ‘Pickering has written a surprisingly calm and measured book, capturing many intriguing details for the first time, as well as cantering through the history of investment banking in the UK at a critical period.’ – Euromoney

‘Blue Blood encapsulates the City’s evolution in modern times.’  * The Spectator * ‘Blue Blood is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the City’s recent history – particularly its thriving heyday in the 1980s and 1990s…an enlightening insight on how the City of London was transformed.’  * Financial Times * ‘Highly readable’  * Bloomberg * ‘Fascinating’  * The Economist * ‘Pickering has written a surprisingly calm and measured book, capturing many intriguing details for the first time, as well as cantering through the history of investment banking in the UK at a critical period.’ * Euromoney *

Author Information

Robert Pickering joined Cazenove in 1985 and served as its Chief Executive from 2001 until 2008, playing a key role in the firm’s development from a private stockbroking partnership into a leading investment bank and wealth manager. Since leaving Cazenove, he has acted as a consultant and board member. Blue Blood is his first book.

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