Unicorn Asset Management has announced the death of non-executive chair Colin Howell (pictured).
Over a career spanning 40 years, he chaired a range of engineering companies after founding and running businesses, before joining the equity boutique’s board as non-executive director in 2008.
He was appointed chair in 2010.
Unicorn Asset Management director Chris Hutchinson said: “We are all devastated by Colin’s sudden and untimely death. To properly express in a few words what Colin meant to us individually and collectively is impossible but, simply put, Colin was an extraordinary man with a giant personality, who made an indelible impression on all those who were lucky enough to know and work with him.
“His contribution to, and unwavering support of, Unicorn throughout his 15-year tenure as non-executive director and chair was truly inspiring and difficult to overstate.
“Colin was a stimulating and challenging character, who was possessed of powerful leadership qualities, boundless energy, tremendous clarity of thought and a hugely positive and ambitious vision for Unicorn. Importantly, from an asset management perspective, Colin totally understood, and constantly emphasised the importance of always placing the best interests of investors in our funds at the heart of everything we do.
He added: “Colin was a passionate advocate for independent, specialist and active fund management businesses such as Unicorn. His energy, enthusiasm, experience, insight, advice, endless curiosity, mischievous sense of humour, lust for life and unwavering support will all be hugely missed.”
The boutique has announced Peter Dicks as interim chair.
He previously chaired Unicorn AIM VCT from its inception in 2001, until his retirement in 2020.
