Premier Miton Group, the London-listed fund manager, is poised to appoint a seasoned City figure with deep crisis management experience as its next chairman. Christopher Williams, a veteran investment banker who advised the Treasury during the 2008 financial meltdown, is set to take the helm this week.
A Career Forged in Financial Crises
Christopher Williams brings a wealth of high-stakes financial advisory experience to the role. His distinguished career includes senior positions at global institutions such as Citigroup, Credit Suisse, and Perella Weinberg Partners.
His most notable public service came during the 2008 banking crisis, where he acted as an adviser to the UK Treasury. In that role, he was instrumental in the government's response, which included the bailouts of Britain's largest banks and the creation of the massive Asset Protection Scheme.
Prior to the financial crash, Williams also provided counsel on some of Europe's most significant banking mergers, giving him a unique perspective on both consolidation and crisis management within the sector.
Steering Premier Miton's Next Chapter
The appointment is expected to be formally announced on Thursday, 4 December 2025, coinciding with the publication of Premier Miton's full-year results. Williams will succeed Robert Colthorpe as chair of the asset management group.
He will oversee a business managing approximately £10 billion in assets. The company was formed from the merger of Premier Asset Management and Miton Group in 2019. Over the last year, its shares have risen by about 7%, giving it a market capitalisation of roughly £95 million.
Focus on Stability and Growth
Investors will be watching the announcement closely, seeking signs of the board's future strategy. Attention is likely to focus on further cost-saving opportunities and the ongoing efforts by chief executive Mike O'Shea to stabilise the fund and stem recent investor outflows.
The appointment of a chairman with Williams's pedigree signals a desire for steady, experienced leadership at the top. His background in navigating extreme financial turbulence will be viewed as a significant asset for the firm's governance.
A spokesperson for Premier Miton declined to comment on the upcoming appointment when contacted by Sky News.
