Former Persimmon chief financial officer Jason Windsor did not know it when he arrived at Abrdn in October 2023, but the asset manager was about to enter one of its most challenging periods. 

His arrival coincided with a brutal year, during which investors pulled £17.6bn and 500 jobs would later be put on the block to save £150m. The following May, CEO Stephen Bird abruptly exited the firm — and CFO Windsor entered the hot seat in his place.