Odey's Appeal: Hedge Fund Manager's Integrity Challenge

On March 24th, Crispin Odie, a 67-year-old former hedge fund manager, is appealing a ban from the UK financial industry.

Last March, regulators barred him and fined him 1.8 million pounds for lacking integrity amid at least 46 claims of inappropriate conduct from 2003 to 2020.

Many incidents centered on two receptionists at his firm, Odie Asset Management.

During testimony this week at London's Upper Tribunal, he described approaching them with what he saw as friendly chat to make them comfortable.

Odie admitted in hindsight that his comments came across poorly, especially as a much older man interacting with younger women.

He called one episode after dental work unintentional, blaming the effects of general anesthetic and said he apologized right away.

Other complaints involved daily remarks on clothing and offers to shop, which he now regrets not routing through human resources.

He had received a final warning before another alleged breach in 2021.

The hearing before a panel of judges continues this month, as Odie pushes back against what he views as an unfair regulatory spotlight on his career.