Robin Geffen
Born1957 (age 66–67)
London, England
SpouseCamilla Geffen
Children2

Robin Geffen is a British financier and classic-winning racehorse owner.

Early life

Geffen was born in London in October 1957. He attended Oxford University, graduating in 1979 from Keble College in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.[1]

Career

Following graduation, Geffen worked for Charterhouse J Rothschild, before moving to Eagle Star to work across European and Asia Pacific funds. He worked for York Plc, Scottish Equitable and CIO before founding his own business, Neptune Investment Management in 2002.[1]

Geffen was CEO for Neptune, but also continued to work across fund management. The firm enjoyed strong early performance and pioneered a move to encourage UK and European investors to allocate assets towards rapidly-evolving emerging markets. Geffen’s approach was to promote young fund managers rapidly. Whilst many were not successful others went on to found their own asset management businesses. In the later years of the business concerns were raised about staff turnover, fund performance and family promotions within the organisation.[2] In August 2019, profits declined by 90%, Geffen stepped down as CEO as Neptune Investment Management was acquired by Liontrust for £40million.[3][4][5] Geffen remained with Liontrust in a Head of Global Equity role, although the Neptune brand was ultimately dropped.[6][7]

Horse racing

Simonsig, winner of the 2012 Neptune Investment Management Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival

Geffen's involvement in racing came in the 1990s with ownership through syndicates. In 2010, he became an owner of King Of Wands alongside Rachel Hood, the ROA President. Trained by John Gosden, he won the Esher Cup at Sandown. Geffen and Hood then purchase Arctic Cosmos, and won the St Leger at Doncaster.[8] Geffen also owned Western Hymn a two time Grade 3 winner, and 6th in the 2014 Epsom Derby.[9] Geffen owned GM Hopkins who won the 2015 Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.[10][11][12]

Alongside his flat horses, he also owned National Hunt horses trained by the likes of Paul Nicholls, David Pipe and Nicky Henderson. Geffen owned the likes of Wonderful Charm a two time Grade 2 winner including the Persian War at Chepstow.[13][14]

In addition to being an owner, Geffen utilised his Neptune Investment Management business as a sponsor. He partnered Cheltenham Racecourse from 2009, and sponsored a broader series of races as "Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdles" across Cheltenham, Sandown and Warwick.[15][16]

Personal life

Geffen is married to Camilla and they have two sons.[17][18] In 2013, he appeared on the Sunday Times Rich List with a net worth of £90million.[19]

In 2013 Geffen's ex race horse, King of Wands, was the subject of a dispute between him and Aristocratic Escort Charlotte Colquhoun, whom Geffen had gifted the horse to. Geffen had in addition, paid Colquhoun £2,000 towards costs. Colquhoun subsequently went on to sell King of Wands against Geffen's interests, he later went on to label her a "fantasist".

References

  1. 1 2 "Fund Manager of the Day – AA Rated Robin Geffen". Citywire. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  2. ↑ "Rapid rise of Neptune founder's son concerns investors". Portfolio Adviser. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  3. ↑ "Liontrust acquisition set to revitalise Neptune funds". Portfolio Adviser. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  4. ↑ "Neptune profits tumble 90% ahead sale to Liontrust". Citywire. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  5. ↑ "Shake-Up as Neptune Bought, While New Group Launches". Morning Star. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  6. ↑ "About Robin". Liontrust. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  7. ↑ "Tainted Neptune name dropped in Liontrust acquisition". Portfolio Adviser. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  8. ↑ "Arctic Cosmos Shines in St. Leger". Blood Horse. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  9. ↑ "Western Hymn". Racing Post. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  10. ↑ "Royal Ascot: GM Hopkins narrowly wins Royal Hunt Cup". Sky Sports. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  11. ↑ "Royal Hunt Cup". Racing Post. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  12. ↑ "The day Geffen fluffed his lines after Hopkins clinched the Hunt Cup". Racing Post. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "Funding a passion". The Owner Breeder. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  14. ↑ "The joy and pain of owning a racehorse". The Financial Times. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  15. ↑ "Neptune signs up to back Cheltenham Festival race". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  16. ↑ "Neptune Investment Management extends its racing portfolio". Sports Pro Media. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  17. ↑ "Robin Geffen hands his son big fund opportunity". Citywire Selector. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  18. ↑ "Harry Geffen". Yale. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  19. ↑ "Geffen and Guy among new Rich List entrants". Investment Week. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
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