The Growth Continues

The Growth Continues

Having spread, over 30 years, onto three floors and into two separate buildings at Finsbury Circus, the firm had once again outgrown its premises. Charles Stanley & Co. Limited was the first stockbroker to move into Finsbury Circus, 30 years before.

It had needed a lengthy debate by the Stock Exchange Council to decide if a firm could move so far from the trading floor. Then, Finsbury Circus had been on the City fringes. Now, a generation later, dozens of firms had moved through and out again, and on the north side Charles Stanley was the last firm left. So finally, in April 1990, after much detailed planning, the firm moved to new and larger self-contained offices, in Luke Street, to the north of Broadgate. This move was rapidly followed by a major acquisition, the London half of the old established business of Schaverien & Co.

In 1995 the neighbouring building in Luke Street was purchased, and the premises were doubled in size. And, as further brokers joined, these too have soon been filled. Acquisitions have followed in rapid succession. In December 1997 the firm grew by more than half, with the purchase of the business of Shaw & Co Ltd, a friendly competitor for more than 70 years.

At the same time Sir Edward Howard, who had been Senior Partner and then Chairman of Charles Stanley for more than forty years - and sixty-one years since he first joined - decided to retire. A remarkable innings during which the company had changed beyond all recognition. He died in March 2001, at the age of 85.

Corporate Development

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