Michelle Scrimgeour, a commanding force in the world of finance, has spent decades forging a remarkable track record characterised by strategic insight, transformative leadership, and deep industry impact. Rising through the ranks of some of the world’s most respected investment firms, she’s become a respected presence not only in UK asset management, but globally.
Overview of Career Trajectory
Early Foundations and Rise Through the Ranks
Michelle Scrimgeour entered the financial world driven by an analytical mindset and a steady commitment to excellence. While precise details of her early education and entry into the industry remain private, she gained valuable experience at BlackRock, a dominant force in global asset management. There, she refined expertise across multiple asset classes and investment strategies—a foundation that would support her future leadership roles.
Following her tenure at BlackRock, she moved to M&G as Chief Risk Officer (CRO), a critical role in overseeing risk management across the business. In today’s increasingly regulated and volatile financial ecosystem, the CRO’s remit is of paramount importance. Michelle’s proficiency in identifying, monitoring, and mitigating risk solidified her reputation as a trusted and capable executive.
The next stage of her journey took her to Columbia Threadneedle Investments, where she assumed responsibility for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. Steering growth in an ever-evolving market across multiple jurisdictions further honed her strategic capabilities and broadened her leadership perspective.
Leadership at Legal & General Investment Management
In 2019, Michelle Scrimgeour ascended to the role of Chief Executive Officer at Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM)—one of the largest asset managers in Europe. As CEO, she led the firm through a complex landscape: evolving global economics, ESG imperatives, digital transformation, and heightened competition.
Under her stewardship, LGIM focused on expanding its product offerings, strengthening institutional relationships, and navigating regulatory shifts. She championed responsible investing, bolstering sustainable finance credentials and responding to investor demands for accountability and long-term performance.
Her leadership helped LGIM balance dual priorities: consistently delivering on fiduciary obligations to clients, while also reinforcing sustainable practices that advance ESG objectives across portfolios.
Transition and Independent Governance
In 2024, Legal & General undertook an organisational restructuring to integrate LGIM with Legal & General Capital, creating a unified asset-management division. At that juncture, Michelle stepped down as CEO, paving the way for fresh leadership within the new structure. Her departure marked the end of a pivotal chapter in her career, yet underscored her aptitude for delivering transformative leadership when institutions navigated change.
Soon after, in mid-2025 she was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director at Bridgepoint, a distinguished global private equity firm. In this role, she uses her extensive experience from investment management and risk governance to help guide corporate strategy, ensure robust governance, and navigate sector-specific complexities. This position reflects both her credibility and the esteem in which experienced advisors are held by leading global private equity houses.
Key Areas of Influence
Strategic Vision in Asset Management
At LGIM, Michelle’s leadership emphasised broad strategic imperatives: innovation in investment offerings, competitive positioning in institutional markets, and alignment with global sustainability trends. She oversaw efforts to expand LGIM’s fixed income and equity strategies, while responding to growing institutional demand for liability-driven investments and sustainable mandates.
Under her guidance, LGIM enhanced its long-term positioning by:
- Strengthening ESG-aligned fund products.
- Adapting to regulatory developments across Europe and beyond.
- Enhancing digital channels for client engagement and operational efficiency.
- Cultivating relationships with pension funds, sovereign institutions, and corporate clients.
These efforts not only served investor needs, but also fortified LGIM’s reputation as a forward-looking, nimble, responsible firm.
Risk Management in a Changing Regulatory World
Her background as CRO at M&G and earlier work at BlackRock prepared her well for the heightened demands of risk oversight. Under increasing focus from regulators, investors and rating agencies, risk governance is no longer back-office but front and centre.
Michelle brought clarity and consistency to risk culture within LGIM—promoting transparency, rigorous stress-testing, and balanced risk-reward frameworks. This focus helped guide the firm through volatile markets, navigate ESG-related challenges, and safeguard the firm’s standing in a climate of rising scrutiny.
ESG and Sustainability Advocacy
Sustainability has moved from niche to norm within investment management, and Michelle’s tenure at LGIM cemented the organisation’s role as an ethical leader. She endorsed active stewardship and saw ESG considerations as central to long-term value creation.
Initiatives under her leadership included:
- Integrating ESG metrics into mainstream investment decisions.
- Engaging with investee companies to drive environmental and social responsibility.
- Enhancing the array of green and sustainable funds, aligned with net-zero goals.
By embedding ESG into LGIM’s culture and operations, she helped shift conversations from compliance to purpose-driven investing.
Boardroom Governance and Leadership Transition
Moving from executive management to independent directorship at Bridgepoint demonstrates her versatility and adaptability. As an NED, she brings fresh perspective to private equity governance, risk oversight, and strategic positioning.
Her role focuses on:
- Supporting Bridgepoint’s leadership with governance that balances ambition with prudence.
- Applying asset-management insights to private equity portfolio strategy.
- Helping oversee due diligence, portfolio value creation, and regulatory compliance.
Recognition and Legacy
Industry Honours and Awards
In mid-2025, Michelle Scrimgeour was honoured with a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for her contribution to the asset-management industry. This recognition signals her influence not only within her firm, but across the UK finance ecosystem, where her leadership advanced both industry standards and economic performance.
Role Model for Future Leaders
Her ascent—through significant risk, strategy, and executive positions—sets a benchmark for women rising in finance. As an able, visible leader in a male-dominated environment, she has become a symbol of thoughtful, values-oriented leadership.
Her mentorship, public profiles, and visibility in industry circles help to inspire the next generation of professionals—including women, minority talents, and others aiming for leadership in investment management.
Why Michelle Scrimgeour Matters
A Leader in Times of Turbulence
From genome-scale market upheavals to evolving regulatory frameworks, Michelle navigated challenges with poise. She has shown how leadership grounded in clarity of purpose, unwavering ethics, and strategic insight can move institutions through complex transitions.
Bridging the Gap Between Investment Management and Purpose
Her tenure at LGIM demonstrated how strong commercial performance and sustainable investing need not conflict. Rather, she proved that aligning fiduciary duty with broader societal goals is a path to long-term resilience.
Governance Skills That Scale
The transition from CEO to independent non-executive director illustrates her adaptability. Few executives successfully shift from running an organisation to guiding others with counsel. Her evolution in this role signals trust from peers and reflects her facility in high-level governance.
What Comes Next—and Continuing Takeaways
Influence in Private Equity
At Bridgepoint, Michelle will contribute to shaping private equity strategies at a time when funds are increasingly scrutinised for environmental, social, and governance impacts. Her asset-management expertise can help embed ESG considerations more deeply into private equity models.
Potential for Thought Leadership
Given her profile, Michelle may increasingly share insights through speaking engagements, thought-leadership pieces or leadership forums. Her experience would benefit conversations about risk culture, ESG integration, and sustainable growth in financial services.
Lessons for Aspiring Leaders
Michelle’s career yields several lessons for professionals:
- Cultivate depth and breadth: Gain varied experience across risk, management, strategy, and client relations.
- Lead with purpose: Sustainable investing and ethical leadership are not optional; they drive resilience and client trust.
- Adapt across roles: Moving from executive management to governance showcases flexibility—a trait increasingly prized in senior professionals.
- Elevate and inspire others: As a public figure, she has modelled a high standard for inclusion, professionalism, and mentoring.
Conclusion
From her early roles at established institutions to guiding LGIM through strategic growth, and now advising at Bridgepoint, Michelle Scrimgeour stands as a figure emblematic of modern, purposeful leadership in finance. Her blend of strategic acumen, risk governance, ESG stewardship, and adaptability marks a rare calibre.
Her story underscores how financial leaders can—and should—align market success with social responsibility. It also illustrates the evolving expectations placed upon industry executives: to champion sustainable performance, guide meaningful change, and then step forward into governance with fresh perspectives.
