Financial News asked the industry’s top executives about their resolutions for 2012 and received a variety of responses, with many bidding to exercise more, some committing to achieving long-burning ambitions, a few vowing to cook wonderful delicacies and others embracing austerity in 70s clothes.

• Andrew Kirton, head of investment consulting, Mercer "Having failed in my attempt to secure the right to host the Olympic beach volley ball tournament in my garden in Balham, I am taking my cue from Mike Foster [associate editor at Financial News], in being resolved to purchase a pair of flared trousers in 2012. The economic outlook, austerity, civil strife and a general retreat from the love of wealth all argue for a revival of the 1970s and I want to dress the part over the coming year."