Meet the manager: Imran Sattar

If you weren’t a fund manager, what job would you do?

That’s a tough one as this is the best job in the world for sure. It would probably have been something entrepreneurial like setting up a private equity business as I just love thinking about businesses and how they work.

What was the proudest moment of your career?

Two and half years into my career at Mercury Asset Management I was handed my first institutional portfolio to manage. I will not forget that day nor the first trade that I placed – selling 3i during the dotcom bubble. Luckily, I bought it back in 2009 and have held it ever since.

What was the most difficult moment of your career and why?

2022. The worst year of performance in my career. Frustratingly the vast majority of the holdings performed very strong operationally but all were derated. Valuable lessons learnt. 

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

The world does not operate in spreadsheets!

Away from the workplace, how do you spend your time?

I enjoy reading, playing tennis and spending time with my family.

Tell us about the last book you read or the last podcast you listened to? Or any music/concert you recently enjoyed and why?

The Man Who Created The Middle East by Christopher Simon Sykes. It’s about the Sykes-Picot agreement of 1916. I found it helpful in placing current geopolitical events in their historic context.

Where was the last place you went on holiday and why?

San Sebastian in Spain. I enjoyed exploring the wonderful food of the region. I love finding interesting new restaurants.

In your personal life, what would you like to achieve in the next 12 months?

Raising teenage children has really hammered home the importance of not only an excellent education but the role of mentoring and guidance. As a result, mentoring is something I’m planning to get involved with this year. Apart from that I would really like to visit Japan – I am a big sushi fan but have yet to travel there.