Martin Flanagan

Martin L. Flanagan
Birthplace	United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Business executive, corporate director
Title	Former President and CEO, Invesco
Known for	President and CEO of Invesco (2005–2023)

Martin L. Flanagan is an American business executive who served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Invesco, one of the world's largest independent investment management firms. Flanagan led Invesco from 2005 through the better part of nearly two decades, during which the firm grew to manage approximately $1.3 trillion in assets. Over the course of his tenure, Flanagan oversaw significant strategic initiatives including global expansion, product diversification into exchange-traded funds, and the navigation of multiple market cycles including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Following his departure from Invesco, Flanagan transitioned into corporate board service, joining the board of directors of Ascot Group, a Bermuda-domiciled global specialty re/insurer, in 2025. His career in financial services spanned several decades and positioned him as a prominent figure in the global asset management industry.

Career

Leadership of Invesco

Martin Flanagan assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of Invesco in 2005. Invesco, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a publicly traded investment management company listed on the New York Stock Exchange that provides a range of investment products and services to retail and institutional clients worldwide. Under Flanagan's leadership, the firm pursued a strategy of global diversification and organic growth complemented by strategic acquisitions.

By 2021, Invesco had grown to manage approximately $1.3 trillion in assets under management, making it one of the largest independent investment management firms globally. Flanagan's strategic vision for the firm encompassed expansion into key international markets, including a notable focus on China. In a February 2021 interview with Bloomberg, Flanagan discussed the opportunities he saw in the Chinese market for asset management, reflecting Invesco's broader strategy of establishing a significant presence in rapidly growing economies.

Views on Markets and Emerging Financial Products

Throughout his tenure, Flanagan was known for providing candid assessments of market trends and emerging financial products. In his 2021 Bloomberg interview, conducted during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Flanagan addressed several topics that were generating significant attention in the financial industry at the time. He discussed how the pandemic had fundamentally changed aspects of the investment management business, from the way firms operated internally to shifts in client behavior and investment preferences.

Flanagan also shared his views on Bitcoin and SPACs (Special Purpose Acquisition Companies), both of which were experiencing heightened interest from investors during that period. He identified risks associated with these emerging investment vehicles, offering a perspective that reflected the cautious approach of a seasoned asset management executive assessing new market phenomena. His willingness to speak publicly about the potential pitfalls of popular investment trends underscored his role as a leader of a firm responsible for managing substantial client assets.

The pandemic period posed unique challenges for large financial services firms, requiring rapid adaptation to remote work environments while maintaining investment performance and client service. Flanagan's commentary during this time provided insight into how Invesco, under his direction, navigated these operational and strategic challenges.

Departure from Invesco

After leading Invesco for approximately eighteen years, Flanagan eventually stepped down from his role as President and CEO. His tenure was among the longer CEO tenures in the asset management industry and encompassed a period of significant transformation for the firm and the broader investment management sector. During his time at the helm, the industry underwent substantial changes including the rise of passive investing, the growth of exchange-traded funds, increasing regulatory scrutiny following the 2008 financial crisis, and the acceleration of digital transformation.

Post-Invesco Board Service

Following his departure from Invesco, Flanagan moved into corporate governance roles. In June 2025, Ascot Group, a Bermuda-domiciled global specialty re/insurer, announced the appointment of Flanagan to its Board of Directors. He was appointed alongside Rosalind Brewer, the former CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, and Robert Sewell. The appointment to Ascot's board represented Flanagan's transition from executive leadership of a major public company to a directorship role in the insurance and reinsurance sector, bringing his extensive experience in financial services, global operations, and corporate strategy to a new industry context.

Ascot Group's decision to add Flanagan to its board reflected the value placed on his background in managing a large, complex, globally distributed financial services organization. His experience overseeing risk management, regulatory compliance, and international operations at Invesco was considered relevant to the oversight responsibilities associated with a global specialty re/insurance business.

Personal Life

Martin Flanagan has maintained a relatively private personal life throughout his career. His public profile has been primarily defined by his professional activities and corporate leadership roles. He has been based in the United States throughout his career in financial services.

Recognition

Flanagan's leadership of Invesco over nearly two decades placed him among the more prominent executives in the global asset management industry. Managing a firm with approximately $1.3 trillion in assets under management required navigating complex regulatory environments across multiple jurisdictions, managing diverse investment teams, and maintaining relationships with institutional and retail clients worldwide.

His appointment to the board of Ascot Group in 2025, alongside other high-profile business leaders such as Rosalind Brewer, further reflected the recognition of his standing in the financial services community. Board appointments of this nature are typically extended to individuals whose professional track records and industry expertise are considered valuable for corporate governance and strategic oversight.

Legacy

Martin Flanagan's legacy is closely tied to his long tenure at the helm of Invesco and the firm's evolution during the period of his leadership. Taking charge in 2005, just years before the global financial crisis of 2007–2008, Flanagan guided the company through one of the most turbulent periods in modern financial history. The firm's growth to $1.3 trillion in assets under management by 2021 reflected the cumulative impact of strategic decisions made during his tenure, including investments in global distribution, product innovation, and operational efficiency.

His emphasis on international expansion, particularly his identification of China as a key growth market for asset management, positioned Invesco among the Western investment firms seeking to capitalize on the opening of Chinese financial markets to foreign participation. This strategic orientation reflected a broader industry trend but also required specific executive commitment and investment of resources.

Flanagan's career trajectory — from executive leadership of a major publicly traded asset management firm to corporate board service at a global specialty re/insurer — illustrates a pattern common among senior financial services executives who leverage their accumulated experience across different segments of the financial industry. His transition to Ascot Group's board in 2025 suggested continued engagement with the financial services sector in a governance capacity following his operational leadership career.