Meet the manager: Anthony Lynch
Portfolio Manager of JPMorgan Claverhouse.
If you weren’t a fund manager, what job would you do?
I think I’d have liked to be an economics teacher – I found my two at school (‘Jack and Judy’) to be hugely inspiring and I’d love to pass on that love of the subject to the next generation in the way they did for me.
What was the proudest moment of your career?
For me it hasn’t so much been about one big moment, but lots of little moments – every time our team gets a stock right and we make real money for our clients – the prospect of that is what gets me out of bed every day.
What was the most difficult moment of your career and why?
Probably the bear market of 2022. Before that point most of the market drawdowns I’d experienced had been short and sharp (post Brexit, Covid etc) and presented what felt like obvious buying opportunities, but in 2022 the headwinds just kept stacking – inflation, war in Ukraine, UK interest rates and valuation and operating momentum didn’t seem to provide any support to companies.
Following 17 years and counting of sitting at a desk I strongly recommend staying active and taking up Pilates sooner rather than later!
What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?
Following 17 years and counting of sitting at a desk I strongly recommend staying active and taking up Pilates sooner rather than later!
Away from the workplace, how do you spend your time?
Most of my time at the weekends is spent taking my two boys to their football fixtures, usually in the rain. Wouldn’t have it any other way though!
Tell us about the last book you read.
I recently read Shoe Dog, Phil Knight’s account of Nike’s early years. As a public markets investor, I typically engage with companies once they’ve found their operating rhythm – so it was a helpful reminder that the formative stage is often far messier and more improvisational than it looks in hindsight.
What is your favourite film of all time and why?
This is a difficult one. I love mafia films (Goodfellas, Godfather II etc), have a very soft spot for Tarantino films too (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs) and a few Leo DiCaprio stand-outs (Inception, Shutter Island). However, my favourite would have to be The Muppets Christmas Carol because it’s the one film I can convince my entire family to watch with me every year!
In your personal life, what would you like to achieve in the next 12 months?
Do what it takes to raise two healthy, happy children – which in the short term means working out how to fill their days between now and school resuming in September!
