Bunhill: Allied to Zen

GOOD to see that Zen Buddhism is no constraint to climbing the slippery pole. George Greener, the BAT financial services chief, who last week combined the two investment management arms of Allied Dunbar and Eagle Star, is a keen disciple. He's responsible for pounds 30bn of assets, which will now be managed by the newly formed Threadneedle Asset Management.

I dare not call to congratulate him. He would not take me seriously: the only time I've contacted him was two years ago to ask whether it was true - as was the gossip among the Allied Crowbar sales reps - that he believed himself to be the reincarnation of the Egyptian dog god Anubis. (Somebody has to put those tough questions.)

Disappointingly, the answer was no.