Vaughan, who has a career at Ruffer that spans 12 years and currently heads the private client arm, is due to step into the role starting 1 April 2017.
She will replace the CEO and chief investment officer of the last five years, Henry Maxey.
Ruffer confirmed that Maxey will retain his role as CIO and continue to look after asset allocation with the firm’s eponymous executive chairman Jonathan Ruffer.
Maxey said handing Vaughan the reins will allow him to “focus exclusively on investment again.”
“The organisational challenges of our growth demand full time attention,” he explained.
“At the same time, releasing more of my time for investment reflects the absolute importance of sound investment judgement within client portfolios.
“When Jonathan announced his succession seven years ago, I headlined my vision ‘moving forward to stay the same’. The decision to divide the dual CEO-CIO role is a natural development of that vision,” he stated.
Meanwhile, chairman Ruffer was “right chuffed” about Vaughan’s appointment: “This is Ruffer LLP’s third CEO since it started 22 years ago. Once again, it is an internal appointment, and a wholly appropriate development.”
