Madison Marriage

In the first five months of the year, Madison spearheaded a groundbreaking investigation into celebrated British financier Crispin Odey. The end result -- a forensically reported and compelling 8,000-word magazine investigation -- marked the first time any media organisation has been able to hold the hedge fund manager to account. It chronicled how Odey exploited his wealth, social status and political nous to intimidate and sexually abuse the women who came into his orbit over nearly 30 years. Until Madison’s explosive investigation was published, Odey was a symbol of British success in high finance, having befriended prime ministers and the dignitaries of the City of London, all while mixing with high society’s elite at balls and shooting weekends. In the process, his estimated wealth grew to more than £800m through canny bets on markets. That all came crashing down when Madison and team published their investigation, “How Crispin Odey evaded sexual assault allegations for decades”, on June 8 2023. The shocking detail of Odey’s behaviour reverberated across the world’s largest financial centres, prompting several heavyweight banks to cut ties with his firm. Large investors pulled their money and the firm’s partners quickly turned on Odey to expel him from the business he founded. Britain’s finance watchdog was eventually forced to announce it was investigating both Odey and his firm in relation to potential sexual misconduct and governance failings. By September 2023, it emerged that four women were pursuing a civil claim in the High Court against Odey and his firm, and one month later Odey Asset Management confirmed it was shutting down for good. Madison’s investigation in effect triggered one of the swiftest implosions on record of a major British hedge fund. The impact of the investigation was heightened because Madison and team continued to doggedly pursue the story. This led to another investigation in July 2023 detailing further allegations of sexual assault and harassment by Mr Odey towards six women. The total number of female victims to have confided in the FT is now 20, alleging incidents spanning 40 years. As one of his victims told Madison, her reporting has potentially unmasked the Harvey Weinstein of finance. Madison embarked on a separate investigation this summer after being approached by Sarah de Lagarde, a PR executive who lost two limbs after being hit by two tube trains on the Northern line last year. Madison’s investigation into the incident uncovered a series of troubling failings by Transport for London. Her subsequent reporting made for a compassionate yet gripping read that many readers said transformed the way they travel on public transport. It also prompted several TfL whistleblowers to come forward with separate claims about the network’s approach to public safety. In short, Madison has cemented her reputation this year as one of the UK’s foremost investigative journalists with an unflinching determination to hold power to account.