Words: Tom Ward
Photography: Getty Images
He’s one of the UK’s best-known hedge fund managers but, come 28 September, Crispin Odey’s career is likely to hang in tatters. The founding partner of Odey Asset Management, 61, has been charged with indecent assault following a complaint made by a woman over an incident which allegedly took place at an address on Swan Walk, Chelsea (where Mr Odey owns a property) in July 1998. The Metropolitan Police brought charges against Odey this May, which he denies, telling the FT he will “strongly contest this matter.”
Whatever the outcome, it’s likely that Odey – who has vocally supported Boris Johnson and Brexit – will, at the very least, no longer continue in his role as founding partner of Odey Asset Management (a company which Odey claimed managed assets worth $6.5 to $7 billion as of 2011).
According to a Sunday Times article from 16 August, Odey Asset Management is preparing an emergency scheme to manage the firm’s future should Odey be convicted. This reportedly involves the closure of his European fund, with investors receiving their money back. The company’s ‘retail’ funds will reportedly be handed over to his colleagues James Hanbury and Oliver Kelton.
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