Wingate was launched by Farrel Meltzer over a decade ago with a vision to revive the old European family merchant banking tradition. This meant bringing an unusually measured approach to risk into a market riding high on buoyant returns. It proved a difficult time to find assets with the risk profile and price to fit that approach and the business expanded slowly. After securing advisory deals and boutique financings, 2005 saw expansion into asset management with a global equities fund.

Wingate’s prudent investment approach and focus on risk meant that the Group entered the Global Financial Crisis conservatively and cautiously positioned. Consequently, Wingate was able to substantially accelerate its investment performance during and post the GFC and to enter asset classes others had been forced to exit. This resulted in rapid growth in the Group’s range of activities and funds under management in the ensuing years.