Western Europe: European banking’s behind-the-scenes activist

Illustration: David Manion

The views of Davide Serra, one of Europe’s most-influential bank investors, are bluntly expressed. 

But there are complex perspectives behind them. Take Brexit. The fall in sterling helps the profit and loss of his business, which employs largely London-based staff to distribute and invest international sector funds. 

However, as a proud, naturalized British citizen with lightly Italian-accented English, Serra is dismayed by the UK’s inward turn. He is much more enthusiastic about European unity – not least in banking and finance.