Crispin Odey

Crispin Odey studied philosophy, politics, and economics at Christ Church, Oxford, and began his career at Barings Brothers before founding Odey Asset Management in 1991. The fund grew into one of London's most prominent hedge funds, managing over $12 billion at peak across macro, long-short equity, and credit strategies. Odey developed a reputation as one of the City's most colourful and contrarian personalities — known for bearish macro views, willingness to hold large concentrated short positions, and flamboyant commentary. His most famous trade was his position entering the Brexit referendum night in 2016: having taken large short positions in sterling and UK equities in anticipation of a Leave vote, Odey reportedly made approximately £220 million ($250 million) as sterling plunged after the result came in. He has also held persistent bearish views on European banks, Chinese credit, and UK property. Odey Asset Management experienced significant client withdrawals and management departures following legal proceedings against Odey personally in 2023; the firm was wound down or reconstituted as a result. Despite the controversies of his later career, Odey's macro positioning and trade execution were considered among the most sophisticated in European hedge fund management for three decades.