Harry Potter author JK Rowling seemed far from spellbound when a multi-millionaire hedge fund manager from Gloucestershire boasted how Brexit turmoil was good for business.

As shares in British companies plunged last week, arch Brexiteer Crispin Odey, who reputedly made millions from the banking crash in 2008, said it had been "a good day at the office".

And Harry Potter author JK Rowling pointedly retweeted the investment tycoon's interview with The Times in which he said the uncertainty over the deal had boosted his funds.

JK Rowling

"Bad days tend to be good days for us,’ says Brexiteer hedge fund tycoon making millions from the collapse of the pound," wrote the author when retweeting the article.

News that Britain could crash out of the EU without an agreement sent the pound tumbling last week.

But Mr Odey, who bet against the pound and stocks exposed to the British economy, told The Times "I have had a good day.

"Bad days tend to be good days for us."

As shares in British banks, retailers and housebuilders fell sharply, financial journalists said his flagship Odey European Inc fund had risen about 50 per cent this year, gaining in value by about £200 million.

Crispin Odey

Coincidentally the wealthy pair, who both qualify for the rich list, have lived in opposite ends of the lower Wye Valley, as well as different ends of the political spectrum.

Father-of three-Odey lives in a sprawling gated mansion, Eastbach Court, in the Forest of Dean.

The manor house where he hit the headlines for creating a £150,00 chicken coop is around 15 miles away from the cottage in the Wye village of Tutshill where JK was brought up.

Reclusive JK supposedly donated £1 million to Gordon Brown's Labour campaign and backs single parent charity Gingerbread and other good causes aimed at supporting hard up families. She lives a reclusive life.

Eastbach Court, Forest of Dean the home of banker Crispin Odey who built £150,000 chicken coop int he grounds of the estate

Odey is said to be one of the Conservative Party's biggest donors and he and his wife, Barclay's heiress and banker Nichola Pease, are known as the Posh and Becks of the city.

Bestselling author JK has been vocal remainer on social media since 2016 and has recently retweeted calls for a second referendum.

Using colourful language she called for a Peoples' Vote and said Brexit has collided with reality, leaving the cowards who caused it scrambling for the lifeboats.

When David Davis stepped aside as Brexit secretary in the summer JK tweeted: "This is what happens when you have men in government who've been raised from birth to believe it's someone else's job to clean up after them. They throw tantrums when they finally make a mess no-one can fix."

Odey takes the opposite point of view. Three weeks ago the Leave supporter told the Mail on Sunday that he would fund a Boris Johnson leadership campaign if Theresa May was ousted.

He previously supported Brixiteer Michael Gove but appears to have switched allegiances to the former London Mayor.


But although she is prominent on social media, JK is not likely to attack the beast of the city outright.

Recently the Jour

Video Loading

nal of Applied Psychology claimed that Harry Potter fans were more accepting and understanding of others because JK's books increased greater understanding of stigmatised groups and promoted social justice.

Whether that extends to bankers remains to be seen.