Cowes Week Diary: Financial firms out to prove they’re big fish in Solent race
ABERDEEN Asset Management’s association with sailing stretches around the world. From our title sponsorship of Cowes Week taking place this week to the Farr 40 Australian Series Down Under and the Extreme Sailing Series in Singapore, sailing has become a sport in which our company values of teamwork, diligence and dedication are displayed by crews who do not just participate in Cowes Week but also sailing events around the globe.
As a global investment business we operate in an extremely competitive environment, just like the teams and skippers assembled here this week. Friendly competition is what Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week is all about; everyone wants to win, succeed and generally be that little better than their closest rivals.
BRAGGING RIGHTS
Nowhere will that be on show more than during the inaugural Aberdeen Asset Management Finance Challenge, taking place on the Solent today. It may be just one of the 280 races taking place this week but for the financial services companies taking part it means bragging rights can be ensured for at least another year.
For all the sailors and spectators enjoying the special atmosphere here at the 179th Cowes Week on the beautiful Isle of Wight this week, we must also look back at another significant landmark.
One hundred years ago, on 5 August 1914, a day after World War I was declared in Britain, the first shot at sea was fired from the gun of HMS Lance in the North Sea. To mark this centenary the crew of Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Mersey will sail past Cowes for a minute’s silence at 10am today, in memory of all those who have served in defence of the nation, for whom winning was the only option.
Martin Gilbert is chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management.