British Empire Trust

British Empire Trust (LSE: BTEM) is a large London-based British investment trust dedicated to investments in companies trading at a discount to Net Asset Value. Established in 1889, the company is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. The Chairman is Strone Macpherson.

The firm's recent history dates to 1985, when Asset Value Investors, an employee-owned management company was established to manage the firm, then valued at £6 million. It issued a 4 for 1 rights issue, increasing capital to £30 million in 1985.

Its goal of acquiring firms under NAV has led it to attempt takeovers of other investment trusts trading at a discount. In 1986 British Empire acquired Ashdown Investment Trust for £66 million. In 1989 it mounted a hostile takeover bid for Schroder Global Trust. In 1995 it acquired the Selective Assets Trust (formerly the Edinburgh Assets Trust) for £42 million.