Chris Hohn Billionaire Philanthropist and Activist Investor

Chris Hohn is a billionaire philanthropist and activist investor who has made a significant impact in the world of finance and philanthropy. He is the founder and CIO of the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).

He is known for his activism in the field of investment, using his wealth and influence to push companies to adopt better corporate governance and environmental practices. His investment firm, The Children's Investment Fund, has a long history of taking on big corporations and advocating for change.

Hohn's philanthropic efforts are focused on children's welfare, with a particular emphasis on education and the environment. He has pledged to give away the majority of his wealth during his lifetime.

Broaden your view: David Einhorn (hedge Fund Manager)

Chris Hohn was born in Addlestone, Surrey, in 1966. His academic journey began with a degree in accounting and business economics from the University of Southampton, graduating in 1988 with first-class honours.

He then attended Harvard Business School, where he completed the Master of Business Administration course, graduating in 1993 as a Baker Scholar. This prestigious award recognized him as among the top five percent of all graduates.

Chris's educational background laid a strong foundation for his future career in finance, which would eventually lead to him becoming a billionaire philanthropist.

Chris Hohn's career in finance took off when he joined Apax Partners, a private equity firm. He then moved to Perry Capital, a hedge fund based in New York, where he honed his skills in investment management.

At Perry Capital, Hohn developed a reputation for his analytical prowess and strategic thinking. He earned an estimated £75m in his time with the company.

In 2003, Hohn founded The Children's Investment Fund Management (TCI), which quickly gained prominence due to its activist investment strategy. This approach allowed TCI to influence management and advocate for operational improvements in the companies it invested in.

TCI's investment approach often involved significant stakes in companies, allowing it to push for changes and create value.

Additional reading: Hedge Fund Manager Bill Ackman

Hohn's career in finance took off when he joined the private equity firm Apax Partners.

He later moved to Perry Capital, a hedge fund based in New York, where he honed his skills in investment management and developed a reputation for his analytical prowess and strategic thinking.

Hohn's time at Perry Capital was highly profitable, with him earning an estimated £75m in his time with the company.

In 2003, he founded The Children’s Investment Fund Management (TCI), which quickly gained prominence due to its activist investment strategy.

TCI's investment approach involved significant stakes in companies, allowing it to influence management and advocate for operational improvements, corporate governance reforms, and strategic shifts.

Hohn's leadership at TCI was marked by his ability to motivate himself, which he achieved by establishing a formulaic charitable link with the company's charitable arm, The Children's Investment Fund Foundation.

He took home a staggering $479 million in 2019-2020, the highest annual amount paid to a person in the UK.

See what others are reading: Stephen Mandel (hedge Fund Manager)

The high-stakes world of finance can be unforgiving, especially for those in the hedge fund management industry. A British hedge fund manager was recently ordered to pay his ex-wife a staggering $531 million.

This enormous sum is a result of a long and contentious divorce battle, which highlights the importance of having a solid financial plan in place. The manager's wealth was built on his successful investment strategies, but his personal life took a hit when the marriage ended.

The divorce settlement was a significant blow to the manager's finances, but it's a reminder that personal and professional lives are often intertwined. The manager's ex-wife will now receive a substantial sum, which is a testament to the power of divorce law.

This case serves as a cautionary tale for those in high-earning professions, where divorce can have severe financial consequences. The manager's financial situation will likely change significantly as a result of the settlement.

Discover more: Smith - Chris Rock

Chris Hohn's investment approach is characterized by meticulous research, a long-term perspective, and a focus on fundamental value.

TCI, the hedge fund he manages, has a relatively narrow portfolio with just 10 positions at the end of the fourth quarter.

Hohn's fund has had significant success, receiving Eurohedge's European Hedge Fund of the Year award in both 2004 and 2005.

TCI has been involved in several high-profile investment campaigns that have left a lasting impact on the business landscape, including campaigns at Deutsche Börse and ABN AMRO.

Hohn's activism led to changes at these companies, with Deutsche Börse experiencing a CEO resignation and ABN AMRO undergoing a sale that led to a bidding war.

TCI's activism has consistently delivered strong returns for its investors, solidifying Hohn's reputation as a leading hedge fund manager.

Chris Hohn's investment approach is characterized by meticulous research and a long-term perspective, which has delivered strong returns for TCI's investors.

TCI's activism has led to significant changes at several companies, including Deutsche Börse, where Hohn successfully campaigned for the resignation of the CEO.

Hohn's approach has consistently delivered strong returns, solidifying his reputation as a leading hedge fund manager.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Bill Ackman Returns

TCI has been involved in several high-profile investment campaigns that have left a lasting impact on the business landscape.

In one notable example, TCI pushed for a sale at ABN AMRO, which ultimately led to a bidding war and the bank's eventual takeover.

TCI maintains a relatively narrow portfolio, with just 10 positions at the end of the fourth quarter.

Chris Hohn's success as a hedge fund manager has been recognized with several awards, including Eurohedge's European Hedge Fund of the Year award in both 2004 and 2005.

TCI's activism has also led to significant job cuts at companies, including Alphabet, where 12,000 jobs were cut in January 2023, representing 6% of its workforce.

Hohn pledged $10 million towards the "She Decides" movement, a pro-abortion-rights global fundraising initiative created by the Dutch Government, after President Donald Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy.

He also personally contributed £50,000 to Extinction Rebellion, a radical environmental activist organization that uses tactics such as mass occupation of streets and landmarks, property defacement and destruction, and causing public disturbances.

Extinction Rebellion was created in the United Kingdom in mid-2019 from a network of individuals affiliated with Earth First! and Occupy Wall Street.

Hohn's charity, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, also contributed £150,000 to Extinction Rebellion.

Hohn sent a letter to multiple large companies, including Google and Airbus, stating that TCI would "typically vote against all directors of companies which do not publicly disclose all of their emissions and do not have a credible plan for their reduction."

He warned that TCI would consider selling shares of companies that do not disclose climate risks and added that if governments didn't force companies to disclose pollution, investors could do it themselves.

Hohn claimed that BlackRock, the world's largest fund manager, was "full of greenwash" for its environmental credentials without forcing companies it invests in to disclose their emissions.

He suggested that asset owners should fire asset managers that don't require such disclosure.

Hohn sent letters to top executives of companies he invests in, pressuring them to enact full "decarbonization of economies (net-zero emissions) by 2050."