Chris Rokos is a British billionaire hedge fund manager and philanthropist known for being a co-founder of the global macro firm Brevan Howard. He gained public attention for his success as a “star trader” and recently for making the largest single donation to a British university in modern times .
Quick Facts
Full Name: Christopher Charles Rokos
Age: 55 (born September 21, 1970)
Nationality: British
Occupation: Hedge Fund Manager, Founder of Rokos Capital Management Known For: Co-founding Brevan Howard, Record £190m Donation to Cambridge University
Marital Status: Not publicly confirmed
Children: Not publicly confirmed
Early Life and Background
Born in London, Rokos attended a state primary school where his academic potential, particularly in maths and science, was identified . He won a scholarship to the prestigious Eton College and later studied mathematics at Pembroke College, Oxford, graduating with a first-class honours degree in 1992.
Career and Achievements
Rokos began his career at UBS before moving to Goldman Sachs, where he worked in derivative structuring and proprietary trading . In 1998, he joined Credit Suisse as a proprietary trader before co-founding Brevan Howard Asset Management in 2002 with Alan Howard and three others . The firm quickly became one of Europe’s most successful hedge funds.During his decade at Brevan Howard, Rokos earned a reputation as a “star trader,” generating an estimated $4 billion in profits for the firm . His best year was 2011, when he made $1.27 billion for the firm’s flagship Master Fund . He personally earned approximately $900 million during his ten years there .After leaving Brevan Howard in 2012, he founded Rokos Capital Management in 2015 following a legal settlement over non-compete restrictions . The firm now manages over $12 billion and employs more than 200 people . According to The Sunday Times Rich List, his net worth is estimated at £2.6 billion, and he is also recognized as one of the UK’s biggest taxpayers .
Major Event or Controversy
In 2014, Rokos filed a lawsuit against his former firm, Brevan Howard, contesting a five-year non-compete agreement that restricted him from managing outside capital until 2018 . The high-profile case was settled out of court in January 2015, clearing the way for him to launch his own hedge fund . The launch was described by The Wall Street Journal as one of the “most anticipated hedge-fund launches of recent years” .Why He is in the News:Chris Rokos is currently trending after donating £190 million to the University of Cambridge, which the university stated is “the largest single donation made to a British university in modern times” . The donation will establish the Rokos School of Government, designed to train future leaders. The school is set to begin operations in autumn 2026.
Conclusion
Chris Rokos is a highly influential figure in the global finance industry, known for his aggressive trading strategies and substantial personal fortune. With his record-breaking philanthropic gift to Cambridge, he is cementing his legacy not only as a top-tier investor but also as a major benefactor focused on education and developing future leaders.
