THE man who founded and took Baring Securities to the peak of success in investment banking in Southeast Asia - before a younger man called Nick Leeson buried it - is back in business.
After a compulsory sabbatical following his departure from Barings in early 1993, Christopher Heath now aims to repeat the performance, but this time for himself and a selected number of powerful shareholders.
He is already searching out an Asian headquarters, and has been looking closely at Hong Kong, although he also is considering directing at least some of his operation at Singapore.
He has called the venture Caspian, which is a sea in central Asia, and also a neutral name, but the geographical spread of the group will be global and very much into emerging markets.
He expects the initial thrust will be in Latin America, but Asia will follow swiftly and he is on the prowl for top-flight analysts, salesmen and investment bankers in the region.
His return to Asia will be watched carefully by established rivals, as well as by expanding firms such as Peregrine, and newcomers such as NatWest Wheelock.