Chris Bacon

Spear’s Review

Chris Bacon, Ruffer’s young (he was born in 1982) and thoughtful chief executive, writes book reviews for the company bulletin. In one, quotes the psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist, approving of his insight that ‘we would rather deny obvious truths than let go of a cherished belief,’ and challenges his colleagues to re-examine their thinking.

Ruffer, under Bacon’s stewardship, sees itself as ploughing a different furrow to other investment houses, aiming to avoid losses in difficult times more than to take advantage of favourable conditions to achieve peaks of growth. All funds are balanced between growth prospects and protection against dips in the market, a primary aim being not to lose money over 12 months on any portfolio.