Jeremy Hosking

Jeremy John Hosking (born 20 July 1958) is a British businessman and political donor. Ranked number 351 in the Sunday Times Rich List, with a net worth of £375 million, he is a shareholder in Crystal Palace and a noted railway enthusiast. He has donated heavily to the Reclaim Party, notably being the sole donor in the 2023 financial year.^[1]

Jeremy Hosking
Born	(1958-07-20) 20 July 1958 (age 67)
Nationality	British
Education	Rugby School, Warwickshire
Alma mater	St Catharine's College, Cambridge
Occupation	Businessman
Known for	Co-founder Marathon Asset Management
Political party	Reclaim Party (2020-present) Reform UK (2019-present) Conservative Party
Spouse	Elizabeth Hosking ​ (m. 1993)​

Education and career

Hosking was educated at Rugby School and St Catharine's College, Cambridge, where he studied geography.^[2] After graduating in 1979, he was a director and portfolio manager with GT Capital Management, dealing in southeast Asian investments.

Hosking was a founding shareholder in Marathon Asset Management, established in 1986.^[3] In 2012, Hosking set up Dublin-listed asset manager Hosking & Co.^[4] Marathon Asset Management accused Hosking of breaching contractual and fiduciary duties while working there because he discussed plans for a new business with other employees. In 2015, Hosking was ordered to pay £1.38 million in damages, and a further £10.4 million; half of the profits Hosking received for the period between July and December 2012. Hosking unsuccessfully appealed, arguing profit shares could not be forfeited.^[5]

Private investments

In March 2011, Hosking bought Gravetye Manor, a West Sussex country house hotel, out of administration.^[6]

In August 2010, Hosking was part of a four-man consortium that bought Crystal Palace out of administration.^[7] On 18 December 2015, it was announced that American investors Josh Harris and David Blitzer had bought a major share holding in the club.^[8] Whilst Steve Parish continued as chairman alongside Harris and Blitzer, fellow CPFC 2010 investors Browett, Long and Hosking each retained a reduced 8% investment.^[9]

The Guardian reported that Hosking held over £100 million in investments in fossil fuels in 2024.^[10]

Hosking was ranked number 351 in the Sunday Times Rich List, with a net worth of £375 million.^[11]

Railways

6100 Royal Scot

Hosking is a noted railway enthusiast, having purchased a number of main-line steam locomotives including 4464 Bittern, 6024 King Edward I, 6100 Royal Scot, 60532 Blue Peter and 70000 Britannia and founded the Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust.^[12][13]

In 2014, Hosking purchased the London & North Western Railway Heritage business from Pete Waterman^[14] and took out a lease on Crewe Diesel TMD^[15] that became the base for heritage train operation Locomotive Services Limited in 2017.^[16][17] In 2016, Hosking purchased a 30% shareholding in the Dartmouth Steam Railway^[18] and in 2017 purchased the former Hornby Railways factory in Margate to establish the One:One Collection museum.^[19][20]

Political activity

A long time Conservative Party donor, Hosking donated £1.7 million to Vote Leave in 2016 and supported pro-Brexit candidates in the 2017 general election.^[21]

In February 2019, Hosking submitted the paperwork to found a new party called Brexit Express, which would welcome Conservative Party MPs unhappy with Theresa May's Brexit plans. At the same time, he launched a public campaign in favour of a no-deal Brexit.^[22] Hosking has made major donations to the Brexit Party led by Nigel Farage.^[23][24] He became the founding donor to the Reclaim Party led by Laurence Fox.^[25][26] In the first quarter of 2021, he gave the Reclaim Party more than £1,000,000 in cash and services.^[25] In December 2021, newspapers reported he would continue to fund the Reclaim Party.^[27]

Hosking is listed in the Parliamentary register of interests as having donated legal services to Andrew Bridgen to the value of £4,470,576.42 in December 2023, "the costs of which will be repaid to the donor on an interest-free basis."^[28]

openDemocracy has criticised Hosking's opposition to net-zero, and that of the publications like Standpoint and The Critic which he funds, noting his substantial financial interest in the fossil fuel industry.^[29]

Personal life

Hosking has been married to Elizabeth since 1993;^[30] they co-own Gravetye Manor^[11][31] after spending their wedding night there and becoming long-standing guests.^[32][33]