Wealthy financier 'killed by train'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Married father-of-one Kirk Stephenson, 47, chief operating officer at private equity firm Olivant, died just after 9am on Thursday near Taplow station in Buckinghamshire, police said.

A source said: "I imagine, like most high-flying bankers, he will probably have lost a lot of cash recently as a result of the credit crunch. It appears the pressure became too much to bear. Figures close to Mr Stephenson are worried that news of his death will lead to speculation about his company."

Mr Stephenson reportedly owned a £3.6 million house in Chelsea and another property in the West Country.

Olivant, set up in 2006, came to prominence earlier this year as one of the potential bidders for Northern Rock.

British Transport Police (BTP) said Mr Stephenson threw himself in front of the 0535 Plymouth to Paddington service.

The train's driver applied emergency brakes but was unable to avoid striking a man on the line, a spokesman said.

Mr Stephenson's previous positions included: COO and MD of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; former Group Finance Director of Coats Viyella PLC and Amersham International PLC; and investment banker at Warburg and Morgan Stanley.

Mr Stephenson's family said in a statement that he was "a life enhancer - not with a showy, life and soul of the party sort of charisma, but as a planner and co-ordinator who quietly and with no fuss ensured everyone around him had a marvellous time.

"A dedicated father and a devoted husband, he valued his family above all else. At the same time he had a gift for friendship and was a generous and exceptional host, gathering his wide circle around him in summer villas all over Europe, as well as for parties, dinners and opera."