Ben Melkman: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

Ben Melkman’s Profile Summary

Company	Light Sky Macro
Position	Founder, Chief Investment Officer (CIO), and CEO of Light Sky Macro
Source of wealth	Management and performance fees from Light Sky Macro's macro strategy, partnership at Brevan Howard Asset Management, executive roles at Morgan Stanley.
Also known as	Hedge fund manager, global macroeconomic strategist, former executive at Brevan Howard.
Age	47
Education	London School of Economics (LSE) - Bachelor of Science (Hons)
Citizenship	Australia
Residence	New York City, USA
Family	Ben Melkman maintains a private personal life.
Website, Social Media	https://www.lightskymacro.com/

Biography

Ben Melkman is an Australian hedge fund manager and entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Light Sky Macro, a global macro hedge fund launched in 2017. The fund quickly gained prominence for its thematic, event-driven approach and managed over $2 billion in assets at its peak.

Before founding Light Sky Macro, Melkman served as a partner and portfolio manager at Brevan Howard Asset Management, one of the world’s largest and most respected macro hedge funds. His early career began at Morgan Stanley, where he rose to the role of Executive Director on the foreign exchange desk, gaining deep expertise in currency markets and geopolitical risk.

Melkman earned recognition for his accurate macroeconomic calls, particularly during the 2015 Argentine general election, where his well-timed positioning highlighted his ability to interpret political events and market outcomes with precision.

He holds a Bachelor of Science with honors from the London School of Economics (LSE), one of the world's top institutions for economics and finance. His academic foundation has informed a career built on data-driven insights and global macroeconomic analysis.

Although Light Sky Macro closed in 2021, Melkman’s influence in the hedge fund industry remains substantial. He joined Schonfeld Strategic Advisors, where he continues to apply his expertise in macro investing, focusing on trends such as interest rates, fiscal policy, and global trade dynamics.

How did Ben Melkman make money?

Ben Melkman makes money in the following areas:

Management and performance fees from Light Sky Macro's macro strategy, partnership at Brevan Howard Asset Management, executive roles at Morgan Stanley.
What is Ben Melkman net worth?

As of 2026, there is no publicly available and reliable information regarding Ben Melkman’s net worth.

What is Ben Melkman also known as?

Ben Melkman is also recognized for his earlier work as a partner and portfolio manager at Brevan Howard Asset Management, one of the largest macro hedge funds. His expertise in global macro strategies and his early career at Morgan Stanley on the FX desk also added to his reputation. He is known for his ability to interpret large macroeconomic events and trends, particularly in the areas of fiscal policy, interest rates, and currency exchange. Melkman is respected not only for his investment acumen but also for his role in recognizing key investment opportunities, such as his accurate predictions during the 2015 Argentine general election, which solidified his standing in the hedge fund community

Prominent achievements

Founded Light Sky Macro, launched the largest hedge fund in 2017 with $2 billion AUM, recognized for successful macroeconomic strategies including Brexit and Argentina trades, former partner at Brevan Howard, successfully raised significant capital from institutional investors

What are Ben Melkman’s key insights?

Ben Melkman's business philosophy revolves around macroeconomic trends, where he emphasizes understanding global political and economic shifts to inform investment strategies.

He believes in spotting dislocations in the markets and capitalizing on fiscal policy, interest rate movements, and geopolitical events.

Melkman is also known for his analytical approach, using data to forecast macro events and for his ability to adapt strategies based on evolving global economic dynamics.

Personal life

Detailed information about Ben Melkman's family is not publicly disclosed. He maintains a private life, and specifics regarding his family members are not mentioned in public records or interviews.

Useful insights

Decision-making and success

Making the right decisions at the right time is often what sets successful people apart. Drawing on the experience of Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, here are some key lessons for improving your decision-making and achieving long-term success.

Create a decision-making framework

Ray Dalio advocates for a clear, principles-based approach to decision-making. Establish a set of guiding principles that you consistently apply when faced with choices. This will help you stay focused and avoid emotional or impulsive decisions.
Embrace transparency and open feedback

Dalio’s philosophy of radical transparency is about creating an environment where honest feedback is encouraged. Whether in your career or personal life, being open to criticism and maintaining transparency will help you grow and make better decisions.
Prepare for risks and manager them wisely

Success isn’t just about making the right moves—it's also about managing risks effectively. Always consider worst-case scenarios and have a plan in place to navigate them. Risk management is a crucial part of any decision-making process.