Founded in 1975 and having racked up numerous awards along the way, including the Money Marketing UK Investment IFA of the Year three times, Alan Steel Asset Management (Asam) is acknowledged as one of the country’s most prominent independent financial advice businesses.

Situated in the historic Scottish town of Linlithgow, Asam is virtually halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow and only about 15 minutes from Edinburgh Airport.

Their proposition is based on a five-pronged philosophy of knowledge, integrity, innovation, fairness and fun, which appears to appeal to an increasing number of high-net-worth client families. While they manage the financial affairs of more than 200 millionaires, last month they attracted funds from their first billionaire client. A real ‘wow’ milestone.

Their long-term success and reputation has attracted many approaches over the years by others wishing to acquire the business. All have been rejected out of hand. Even though Alan Steel (as chairman) is touching 75, he intends to keep Asam as it is, because as he says ‘it’s like a private club where the clients and staff come first’.

While being based in a small central Scottish town Asam’s client base stretches across the UK and the Channel Islands, and even as far as Hong Kong. ‘Wealthy people, wherever they may live, are looking for an adviser with a culture of long-term thinking and fairness,’ says Steel.