Sir Chris Hohn, founder of TCI Fund Management, one of the UK’s most prestigious hedge funds, took a £60m dividend in 2025 while ramping up charitable donations to nearly £600m, reinforcing his status as a leading philanthropist.
TCI’s Strong Performance Drives Payouts
TCI’s flagship funds delivered robust returns, pushing turnover above $1bn (£740m) for the first time. This marked growth from prior years and followed pandemic-era gains.
The firm paid a total dividend of $81.6m over 2024/25, up from $52.2m previously. Although below peak handouts. With $70bn in assets under management, TCI remains a standout in hedge fund profitability.
Record Donations to Children’s Causes and Climate Action
Hohn channeled the bulk of profits to philanthropy, donating $797m to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) which is nearly double the prior year’s $428m.
CIFF supports children’s development, sexual health programs, and climate mitigation in developing economies. These nine-figure annual gifts have earned Hohn recognition as the UK’s “most generous person” and a global philanthropy leader (knighted in 2014).
In response to UK aid cuts (diverting funds to defense), Hohn pledged an extra $328m to bridge the gap, criticizing the moves as “very cruel” and potentially costing lives.
Balancing Activism, Profits, and Giving
Hohn’s approach blends activist investing with ethical commitments. TCI engages companies on governance and sustainability, while his personal wealth funds massive charitable impact.
This dual focus highlights a trend among billionaire financiers: pairing high returns with large-scale giving amid growing scrutiny on inequality and climate.
What do you think of this profit-to-philanthropy playbook? 🚀
