The acquisition of Bear Stearns by JP Morgan puts the stricken US bank’s most senior executives in the spotlight. Just over six months ago, Bear Stearns more doubled the size of its management committee to 15, adding heads of investment banking and its international business. Financial News looks at some of its leading executives.

Alan ‘Ace’ Greenberg Chairman of the executive committee Last week, Bear Stearns’ 81-year old chairman was calling rumours of the bank’s insolvency “ridiculous.” Greenberg has been Bear Stearns chairman for more than 20 years and is a champion bridge player.