The greatest con artists in the business world have three traits in common. They are charismatic, a little bit enigmatic, and ultimately problematic, says Deon Gouws, chief investment officer at London-based Credo Group UK. In a presentation at the Investment Forum in Cape Town on Thursday, Gouws made the case against professional investors going to great lengths to meet the senior management of companies. But more than that, charismatic executives can lead asset managers astray. Taking the example of Steinhoff's disgraced former CEO Markus Jooste, Gouws said, in person, he had a strong personality that swayed asset managers.
