Veteran investor Jim Slater passes away

Former co-head of Slater Walker

Veteran UK investment banker Jim Slater has died at the age of 86, following a career in the industry which began in the 1960s.

Slater, who ranks with such investment veterans as Warren Buffett, made his name as co-head of London-based Slater Walker Securities. He died suddenly on 18 November, confirmed by the Telegraph, for which he wrote a regular column. Slater's firm engaged in corporate takeovers in the 1960s and 1970s, selling off unprofitable parts of business in a process which became known as "asset stripping". By 1972, the firm reportedly had a major controlling interest in some 200 companies and assets of $800m, with Slater's own net worth reaching $20m. However, its fortunes were brought down...