Managers to Watch: JOHCM's Ben Leyland on the lessons learnt from covering banks early in his career

JO Hambro Capital Management (JOHCM)'s Ben Leyland believes a career in fund management was a "natural progression" after his history degree, as he points out both involve "a lot of reading" and being "challenged on your opinion".

The main difference, according to the 36-year-old manager of the £270m Global Opportunities fund, is running an equity fund involves significantly more numbers than studying history. "There are a lot of similarities in that they are both about incomplete information, forming opinions and developing conviction," he said. JOHCM's Leyland maintains 20% cash in his global fund in preparation for 'uncomfortable correction' "A day in the life of a history student is a lot of reading and then being challenged on your opinions, whereas a day in the life of a fund manager is reading a lot, ...