Neil Woodford, Finance, Debrett's 500 2016, People of Influence

Neil Woodford

Founding Partner, Woodford Investment Management

One of the most respected fund managers in the country, Neil Woodford set up his own firm in 2014 after 26 years with his now rival Invesco Perpetual. He raised a record £1.6 billion to launch the fund after running the Income and High Income funds at Invesco, and in 2015, he launched a second fund, Woodford Patient Capital Trust, which invests in start-up firms. The trust was so inundated with demand that it was expanded from 600 to £800 million, making it the biggest ever launch of its kind. Born in Henley-on-Thames, Woodford studied Economics and Agriculture at the University of Exeter, and his first job was cleaning out a toothpaste machine at the Beecham’s factory. In the past year, he has delivered an average of more than 10% interest on investments where rivals have made around half a percent, and he now looks after £7 billion on behalf of savers.