Culture fit and autonomy key to deal success

SANDY Nairn and his colleagues at Edinburgh Partners are to be congratulated for the large and highly successful business they have built from a standing start in less than 15 years.

US giant Franklin Templeton Investments’ move to buy Edinburgh Partners for a price believed to be in excess of £100 million is a demonstration of what has been achieved.

In fund management, much of what happens depends on the culture of organisations, and their consequent ability to retain and reward talent.

Successful takeovers in the sector are those involving organisations with similar cultures and philosophies, not those aimed at stripping out cost. There is good reason to be reassured the takeover of Edinburgh Partners falls into the former category.

Sandy Nairn worked for Templeton for more than a decade, so should be familiar with the acquirer’s culture.

The new owner noted Mr Nairn “worked alongside the late legendary global investor, Sir John Templeton”.

Mr Nairn often highlights how much he learned from Sir John, and a lot of this is likely to be embedded already in the culture of Edinburgh Partners.

The key to making this deal a big success is simple. Franklin Templeton must ensure Edinburgh Partners is run as an autonomous business. It seems well aware of the talent it is acquiring, so hopefully this will be its plan, in the short and long term.