Gosling's Grouse: 80 and not out

GOSLING'S GROUSE

GDP is 80 years old this year. So is Henderson, and, appropriately enough, Lord Heseltine.

Lord Heseltine was the guest of honour at Henderson's investment conference two weeks ago, selected for his knowledge and wisdom and, perhaps, because he is the same age as the company itself. But it struck me, as I listened to him speak, that there is some comparison between his own career over the past 30 years and the fortunes of Henderson. Back at the end of the 1980s, Henderson was one of the doyens of the investment world, but its shine began to disappear as it struggled to cope with the aftermath of the crash of 1987. Some advisers – Peter Hargreaves being one – still rememb...