I once ran into him on a flight from Sydney to Santiago. He carried no checked luggage, but only a shopping bag with his clothes and personal items. His unusual style may have helped make him a successful investor.
I’ve met a few fund managers over the years, but none as quirky as Mark Lightbown, the former portfolio manager of the Genesis Fund. He is a polite Englishman with a talent for languages and numbers. He speaks French, Spanish and the language of accounting. That mix has helped him spot undervalued stocks.
The 62-year-old does not use email or carry a phone. Nor does he use Bloomberg or Reuters; he relies instead on newspapers for stock prices. His business card carries only his name and a PO Box, which is also the only way to reach him.
