Jeremy John Hosking (born 20 July 1958) is a British businessman and political donor. Ranked number 351 in the Sunday Times Rich List 2019, with a net worth of £375 million, he is a shareholder in Crystal Palace F.C. and a noted railway enthusiast. He has donated heavily to the Reclaim Party.

Education and career

Hosking was educated at Rugby School and St Catharine's College, Cambridge, where he studied geography.^[1] After graduating in 1979, he served as 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.^[2] In 2012, Hosking set up Dublin-listed asset manager Hosking & Co.^[3] 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.^[4]

Private investments

In March 2010, Hosking bought Gravetye Manor, a West Sussex country house hotel, out of administration.^[5]

In August 2010, Hosking was part of a four-man consortium that bought Crystal Palace F.C. out of administration.^[6] On 18 December 2015, it was announced that American investors Josh Harris and David Blitzer had bought a major share holding in the club.^[7] Whilst Steve Parish continued as chairman alongside Harris and Blitzer, fellow CPFC 2010 investors Browett, Long and Hosking each retained a reduced 8% investment.^[8]

He was ranked number 351 in the Sunday Times Rich List 2019, with a net worth of £375 million.^[9]

Railways

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.^[10][11]

In 2014, Hosking purchased the London & North Western Railway Heritage business from Pete Waterman^[12] and took out a lease on Crewe Diesel TMD^[13] that became the base for heritage train operation Locomotive Services Limited in 2017.^[14][15] In 2016, Hosking purchased a 30% shareholding in the Dartmouth Steam Railway^[16] and in 2017 purchased the former Hornby Railways factory in Margate to establish the One:One Collection museum.^[17][18]

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.^[19]

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.^[20] Hosking has made major donations to the Brexit Party led by Nigel Farage.^[21][22] He became the founding donor to the Reclaim Party led by Laurence Fox.^[23][24] In the first quarter of 2021, he gave the Reclaim Party more than £1,000,000 in cash and services.^[23] In December 2021, newspapers reported he would continue to fund the Reclaim Party.^[25]

Hosking is listed in the Parliamentary register of interests as having donated legal services to Andrew Bridgen MP 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."^[26]

Personal life

Hosking has been married to Elizabeth since 1993;^[27] they co-own Gravetye Manor^[9][28] after spending their wedding night there and becoming long-standing guests.^[29][30]