Richard Lawson CBE FCSI(Hon) 1932-2015
The CISI pays tribute to Richard Lawson, a founder director of the Institute and one of its first Fellows
Richard Lawson was a leading Stock Exchange figure over the period of Big Bang, and played an important role in the successful transformation of the old London Stock Exchange into a leading global stock market.
During this period, as well as being joint senior partner (later Chairman) of Greenwell, which was a major force in the UK gilt and equity markets, he was a member of the Council of the London Stock Exchange and a Deputy Chairman of the Exchange. He was Chairman of the Securities and Futures Authority (SFA) and of the Investors Compensation Scheme and a founder director in 1992 of the CISI (then the Securities Institute). In 1993, in recognition of his long and distinguished service within the financial services industry, the Institute’s directors named him as one of the organisation’s first two Fellows (the other being the late Peter Wills).
Richard was awarded the CBE in 1994.
After attending school in Lancing, West Sussex, Richard carried out his National Service with the Sherwood Foresters with whom he narrowly missed serving in Korea - the war finished a week before he was due to embark. He then spent a couple of years in industry with ICI before joining W. Greenwell (later Greenwell Montagu) in 1954, where he remained throughout his City career. Within his firm he was a private client specialist, although in later years his management responsibilities as joint senior partner as well as his outside roles took up much of his time.
Richard made a particular contribution to the regulatory changes taking place in the City over the period of 'Big Bang' through his board membership of the Securities Association and subsequently his chairmanship of the SFA and of the Investors Compensation Scheme.
He will be remembered for his integrity, his determination and single mindedness with the job in hand and for his friendship with a wide circle of his City contemporaries.
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