Legg Mason
Encyclopedia
Legg Mason, Inc. is an American-based global investment management
firm with a focus on asset management. The company’s business is divided in two divisions: Americas and International. Legg Mason offers products in equities and fixed income, as well as domestic and international liquidity management and alternative investments (via a funds-of-hedge-funds manager).
Founded in 1899 as a brokerage firm in Baltimore
, Maryland
, Legg Mason has since become the 15th largest asset manager in the world with clients spread across 190 countries on 6 continents. As of June 30, 2011, Legg Mason's assets under management aggregated to $663 billion . Legg Mason is a member of the S&P 500 .
Legg Mason operates using a multi-manager business model : each of the company’s subsidiaries, which form a diverse group of asset managers, specializes in a segment of the asset management industry and operates with investment autonomy. Legg Mason provides global distribution and invests in growth through core strategic services including capital allocation for product development, investing in our existing affiliates and making new acquisitions.
Under the company’s multi-manager model, each subsidiary operates with investment autonomy, following its own investment philosophy and implementing its own process.
Legg Mason employees also participate in various community events throughout the year, such as the Komen Race for the Cure, the JPMorganChase Run/Walk in Central Park
, and Dragon Boat
races in Baltimore, among others.
In addition, Legg Mason has an officer-led Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council which “helps to foster a working environment that promotes respect and values acceptance of all regardless of race, gender, age, nationals origin, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, education, job level, disability or marital status. The Council also helps to serve as a forum to share ideas and make recommendations to promote diversity within the firm.”
Investment management
Investment management is the professional management of various securities and assets in order to meet specified investment goals for the benefit of the investors...
firm with a focus on asset management. The company’s business is divided in two divisions: Americas and International. Legg Mason offers products in equities and fixed income, as well as domestic and international liquidity management and alternative investments (via a funds-of-hedge-funds manager).
Founded in 1899 as a brokerage firm in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, Legg Mason has since become the 15th largest asset manager in the world with clients spread across 190 countries on 6 continents. As of June 30, 2011, Legg Mason's assets under management aggregated to $663 billion . Legg Mason is a member of the S&P 500 .
Legg Mason operates using a multi-manager business model : each of the company’s subsidiaries, which form a diverse group of asset managers, specializes in a segment of the asset management industry and operates with investment autonomy. Legg Mason provides global distribution and invests in growth through core strategic services including capital allocation for product development, investing in our existing affiliates and making new acquisitions.
Introduction
Legg Mason’s roots can be traced to the founding of two brokerage firms: the first, Mackubin & Company (later Legg & Company), was founded in Baltimore by George Mackubin in 1899. The second, Mason & Company, was founded in Newport News, Virginia by Raymond A. Mason in 1962. In 1980, the two firms merged to become Legg Mason & Company, basing its headquarters in Baltimore.Timeline
- 1899: George Mackubin & Co., predecessor to Legg & Co., is founded in Baltimore, Maryland.
- 1962: Brokerage firm Mason & Co. is founded by Raymond A. “Chip” Mason in Newport News, Virginia.
- 1967: Mason & Co., with over 80 employees in 4 offices, becomes one of three largest of 15 Virginia-based brokerage firms.
- 1970: Mason & Co. merges with Legg & Company to form Legg Mason & Co., Inc, moving headquarters to Baltimore, Maryland.
- 1975: Raymond A. Mason becomes Chairman and CEO of Legg Mason & Co., Inc, adding to his existing role as President.
- 1982: Legg Mason Fund Adviser, Inc. is established to manage the company’s flagship fund, Legg Mason Value Trust.
- 1983: Legg Mason, Inc. becomes a publicly traded company, with its stock (symbol: LM) listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
- 2005: Legg Mason completes a transaction with Citigroup, transferring its Private Client and Capital Markets business in exchange for Citigroup’s asset management business and turning Legg Mason into a pure asset management firm.
- 2008: Mark R. Fetting becomes CEO of the company, succeeding Raymond A. “Chip” Mason.
- 2009: Legg Mason celebrates 110 years in business.
Management
- Mark R. Fetting, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
- Ronald R. Dewhurst, Head of Global Investment Managers
- Peter "Pete" H. Nachtwey, Chief Financial Officer
- Jeffrey A. Nattans, Head of M&A and Business Development
- Joseph A. Sullivan, Head of Global Distribution
- Thomas P. Lemke, General Counsel
Business Overview
Legg Mason acts through its subsidiaries to provide investment management and related services to its clients, which include institutions as well as individuals. The company divides its business into two divisions: Americas and International.Under the company’s multi-manager model, each subsidiary operates with investment autonomy, following its own investment philosophy and implementing its own process.
Western Asset Management
- Year Founded: 1971
- Year Acquired: 1986
- Location: Headquartered in Pasadena, California; offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, Melbourne, São Paulo, Singapore, and Tokyo
ClearBridge Advisors
- Year Founded: 1964
- Location: New York, San Francisco
The Permal Group
- Year Founded: 1973
- Location: Headquartered in London and New York; offices in Paris, Dubai, Hong Kong, Nassau, Singapore, and Boston
Batterymarch Financial Management
- Year Founded: 1969
- Year Acquired: 1995
- Location: Boston
Brandywine Global
- Year Founded: 1986
- Location: Headquartered in Philadelphia; offices in Chicago, San Francisco, Singapore, London
Global Currents Investment Management
- Year Founded: 2008
- Location: Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware.
Legg Mason Capital Management
- Year Founded: 1982
- Location: Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland
Corporate Citizenship
Legg Mason is committed to being a responsible global corporate citizen and views that commitment as a strategic priority . In addition to providing clients with the opportunity to customize their portfolios to integrate their environmental, social, and governance concerns, Legg Mason affirms its commitment to corporate citizenship through programs focusing on: Philanthropy, Environment, Community, Diversity and Inclusion.Philanthropy
Legg Mason supports community efforts philanthropically through its Legg Mason Charitable Foundation. The firm supports programs in Education, Health and Human Services, Civic/Community Development, and the Environment. Some examples include:- Education
- Big Brothers Big SistersBig Brothers Big Sisters of AmericaBig Brothers Big Sisters of America is a 501 non-profit organization whose mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that try to have a measurable impact on youth....
- Washington Tennis & Education Foundation
- CollegeBound
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Health and Human Services
- Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
- Save the Children
- United Way
- Community Development
- YMCAYMCAThe Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
- Living Classrooms
- YMCA
- Arts & Culture
- Baltimore Symphony OrchestraBaltimore Symphony OrchestraThe Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is a professional American symphony orchestra based in Baltimore, Maryland.In September 2007, Maestra Marin Alsop led her inaugural concerts as the Orchestra’s twelfth music director, making her the first woman to head a major American orchestra.The BSO Board...
- Enoch Pratt Free LibraryEnoch Pratt Free LibraryThe Enoch Pratt Free Library, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is one of the oldest free public libraries in the United States. Established in 1882 after a grant from philanthropist Enoch Pratt, the library now includes twenty-two branches in Baltimore, plus the Central Library...
- Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
- Environment
- Chesapeake Bay FoundationChesapeake Bay FoundationThe Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay in the United States. It was founded in 1967 and has headquarters offices in Annapolis, Maryland...
- The Nature ConservancyThe Nature ConservancyThe Nature Conservancy is a US charitable environmental organization that works to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive....
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Community
Legg Mason promotes several corporate volunteerism programs throughout the year, encouraging its associates to lend their time and talent. These community programs include:- Days of Caring - Legg Mason’s longest running volunteer program, Days of Caring is a series of community-based volunteer opportunities at places such as food banks, eldercare facilities, parks, and nature care facilities.
- Holiday Outreach – This annual initiative occurs in November/December and encompasses such activities as prividing for families in need for the holiday season and participating in food collection drives.
- Earth Days – This Spring event gives employees the opportunity to volunteer together to clean-up, protect, and beautify the environment.
Legg Mason employees also participate in various community events throughout the year, such as the Komen Race for the Cure, the JPMorganChase Run/Walk in Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
, and Dragon Boat
Dragon boat
A dragon boat is a human-powered watercraft traditionally made, in the Pearl River delta region of southern China - Guangdong Province, of teak wood to various designs and sizes. In other parts of China different woods are used to build these traditional watercraft...
races in Baltimore, among others.
Environment
In addition to providing its employees with environment-related volunteering opportunities, Legg Mason also implements several corporate ESG initiatives, such as:- Becoming a signatory member of the Carbon Disclosure ProjectCarbon Disclosure ProjectThe Carbon Disclosure Project is an organisation based in the United Kingdom which works with shareholders and corporations to disclose the greenhouse gas emissions of major corporations....
and participating in its annual survey. - Producing its annual sustainability report (December 2010) based on Global Reporting Initiatives.
- Legg Mason's headquarters in Baltimore was developed to achieve LEED certification. In 2010, the Legg Mason Tower achieved LEED Certified Gold for the space it occupies in Harbor East.
Diversity and Inclusion
An equal opportunity employer, Legg Mason is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive culture. The firm promotes a diverse culture through recruitment and retention programs, as well as ongoing training and mentoring. Legg Mason also encourages diversity in its client relationships, in its industry, and in its community.In addition, Legg Mason has an officer-led Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council which “helps to foster a working environment that promotes respect and values acceptance of all regardless of race, gender, age, nationals origin, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, education, job level, disability or marital status. The Council also helps to serve as a forum to share ideas and make recommendations to promote diversity within the firm.”