Kames CEO: Brexit could damage UK asset managers' competitiveness

London headquarters could be under question

A potential Brexit could have a negative impact on asset managers that do a lot of business in Europe and could force some London-based firms to reconsider their headquarters, according to Martin Davis, chief executive of Kames Capital.

An exit from the EU could damage the competitiveness of UK asset managers through issues such as passporting, different legal structures and fluctuations between the two currencies, Davis (pictured) said. "Being a good asset manager and writing profitable business is not always linked to performance. We have to have access to those markets, and have to operate within a regulatory environment that we understand. "Most of the larger fund houses do write a lot of business on the continent, so there will be quite an impact. It is not just about sales, it is also about competitiveness, hig...