Britain is becoming too risk averse, a top broking expert has warned.
And John Cadwallader, managing director of the Birmingham office of Brewin Dolphin, said all too often people today expected someone to bail them out if things went wrong.
But there was nothing inappropriate about risk when it was based on calculated financial advice and individual circumstance.
He hit out as the office celebrated its tenth anniversary in style at a dinner held in the Banqueting Suite of the City's Council House.
Guest speaker was one of cricket's most endearing and best-loved personalities Dickie Bird.
More than 150 from Birmingham's professional business community were at the event, which was also attended by group chairman Jamie Matheson and Christopher Legge, head of the group's private client investment management operation.
Under Mr Cadwallader's leadership, Brewin Dolphin's Birmingham office has expanded steadily in terms of client numbers, funds under management and staff.
Today, the office on Newhall Street employs around 50 fund managers and support staff and has investments of around £ 800 million under management.
Mr Cadwallader said Birmingham had become a " highly successful operation".
He went on: " Stockbroking is very much a people business and we are all totally committed to the future development and expansion of our investment management business.
"We look forward to the next ten years with confidence."
Brewin Dolphin Securities is the largest independent private client portfolio manager and stockbroker in the UK.
The group manages over £15 billion of funds on behalf of more than 100,000 clients, and of this £6 billion is on a discretionary basis. It has 34 offices and is corporate adviser to around 140 small and medium sized companies.
