Veteran stockbroker performs opening of the London market

WHEN Keith Loudon first started working as a stockbroker, most business was conducted face to face, and a teleprinter was considered the height of sophistication.

Yesterday Mr Loudon, who is one of Britain’s longest serving stockbrokers, was the toast of the London Stock exchange when he opened the stock market.

Mr Loudon, who has worked at Leeds-based Redmayne Bentley for 57 years, recently celebrated his 80th birthday, and has no plans to retire.

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Mr Loudon was joined in opening the stock market by a number of colleagues and friends from the investment community including Brian Winterflood, non-executive chairman at Winterflood Securities, Tim May, chief executive, APCIMS and Ruth Martin, managing director of Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments.

Mr Loudon said: “I’m delighted and honoured to have been invited to open the London Stock Exchange and it’s a wonderful way to celebrate my recent birthday. I would like to thank everyone at the London Stock Exchange for all of their hospitality.”

Redmayne Bentley has been part of the Leeds corporate landscape since Victorian times. Back in 1875, a bank clerk, John Redmayne, decided to set up his own stockbroking business in Leeds.

One hundred and thirty eight years later, the firm – now known as Redmayne-Bentley – is still going strong. Following a series of acquisitions and mergers, Redmayne Bentley now has around 300 staff and more than 30 branches in the UK and Ireland.

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In 1923 Mr Loudon’s father, Gavin, joined the firm. Thirty-three years later, when Mr Loudon, started working there, the company employed just four people. As well as heading up Redmayne-Bentley, Mr Loudon has also been involved in local politics; he served on Leeds City Council for 40 years.

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