DUNCAN Williams is not your typical boss. He prefers to see himself presiding over an old-fashioned democracy in which he and his three partners take decisions jointly.

Ultimately, though, the name on the office door at 34 Victoria Avenue in Harrogate is Williams Investment Management and, as the firm’s founder, the buck stops with him. “But there’s no hierarchy in our office,” smiles Duncan. “We are all friends as well as colleagues and if any one of us started calling the shots, the others would soon rebel.”

Williams Investment Management, one of the most respected and well-liked investment management firms in Yorkshire, manages about £100 million of client capital and its four partners all espouse the old and trusted values of “managing other people’s money as they would their own”.

The other partners are Robert Ash, John Newsome and Denis Kaye. Denis is a chartered accountant and finance director, while Duncan, Robert and John met more than 20 years ago at the respected Harrogate stockbroking firm of Cawood Smithie & Co, where they were partners, before it was taken over by rivals Brown Shipley.

Duncan is proud to be different. While many other investment management firms chase targets and charge hefty commissions, Williams Investment Management puts its clients first, he says.

“How on earth can you truly be acting in clients’ best interests when you are charged with achieving a certain target?

“Our duty is not to deliver a message we think you will want to hear; it is to do our level best to deliver pleasing long-term returns that have been garnered without assuming excessive degrees of risk.”

He adds: “Our aim is to be trusted advisers – trusted by our clients and trusted by their advisers, the accountants and lawyers with whom we work closely”.

Duncan, educated at Harrogate Grammar School, joined Broadbridge Stockbrokers in Leeds in 1987, before moving to Cawood Smithie in 1990 and founding WIM in 2004. Married to Fiona, a barrister, they have one son, 14-month-old Albie. The family, who live in the Rossett Green area of Harrogate, is completed by Freddie the dog.

“We are a close-knit family,” says Duncan, “so much so that Freddie comes with us when we go skiing, though he doesn’t go on the piste.”

Duncan’s other hobbies include travel, golf, when he has the time, and real tennis, which he plays with his colleague Robert Ash.

“Robert and I are quite competitive when it comes to sport,” smiles Duncan, “but that disappears the moment we are in the office. All four of us are first among equals at work.”

Which job (other than your own) would you like to have and why?

Professional golfer.

Greatest achievement?

Founding Williams Investment Management.

Biggest mistake?

At a friend’s barbecue in the USA, I asked the highest paid baseball player in the world if he played baseball professionally.

What makes you most angry?

Computers.

What makes you laugh?

My 14-month-old son, Albie.

What fools do you suffer least?

Politicians.

Whom do you most admire and why?

Warren Buffett – Modest, highly successful philanthropist.

What do you need to make life complete?

My family, good health and friends.

How do you relax?

In theory, play golf!

Why do you make a difference?

I try my best and pay my taxes.

Name the organisation you see as the perfect one (not your own) and why.

Locally, Bettys – timeless standards and values.

Favourite record?

Imagine by John Lennon.

Favourite holiday destination?

Vienna.

Your epitaph.

Life is a catalogue of missed opportunities.