Matthew Harding

For the American world traveler of the same name, see Matt Harding.

Matthew Harding (26 December 1953 – 22 October 1996) was a British businessman, vice-chairman of Chelsea football club and a major financial supporter of New Labour (the Labour Party).

Early years

Harding was born in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, the son of Paul Harding, an insurance executive. He attended Abingdon School in Oxfordshire, but did not enjoy the school ethos. He did however return to the school just weeks before his death to speak to a small group of sixth formers about his road to success. He left school with a single 'A' Level in Latin and went to London.

Making his fortune

Through his father's friendship with Ted Benfield, he joined the insurance brokers Benfield, Lovick & Rees and it was in the insurance industry that he made his fortune, starting out by making the tea and going on to be a director. By 1980 he had acquired a 32% stake in the company, becoming a millionaire and one of Britain's 100 richest men.

Fortune

The inheritance will be divided according to instructions left with two executors, Mark Killick and Margaret Nugent. Their instructions are to include provision for his twin sons by his wife Ruth and for Ella, his daughter by girlfriend Vicky Jaramillo. In the will Mr Harding, aged 42 at the time of his death, also names Jessica, Ms Jaramillo's daughter from a previous relationship. The shareholders in his former business, The Benfield Group, will also benefit. Mr Harding organised a successful management buy-out of the company in 1988. The will was witnessed by England football coach, Glenn Hoddle and by a London taxi driver called Grant Davis.

Chelsea FC

A lifelong Chelsea fan, Harding responded to Chelsea chairman Ken Bates' call for new investment in the club in 1994 and invested £26.5m and joined the board. However, his time there was marked by frequent clashes with Bates, club chairman and majority shareholder, a man in many respects Harding's antithesis, over the new direction to be taken by the club. Ken Bates eventually banned Harding from the Chelsea boardroom and effectively limited his input and influence over the club. The dispute between Bates and Harding was continual and was only stopped after his death in 1996. However Bates would not let it rest, by causing more controversy which he was well known for now, by upsetting many Chelsea fans, friends and family of Harding in 1997 by calling him a vile man, just a year after his premature death.

Personal Life

Mr. Harding had 4 children with wife Ruth, and later on a daughter named Ella with Ecuadorian ex-waitress girlfriend, Vicky Jaramillo.

Death

Harding died in a helicopter accident in 1996, after flying back from a Chelsea match away to Bolton Wanderers, along with the pilot and three passengers, including the journalist John Bauldie and Raymond Deane.^[1]

References

1. ^ "Pilot 'unable to control' Harding helicopter". BBC News. 27 November 1997. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/35069.stm. Retrieved 8 May 2010. 

Sources

• Matthew Harding: Pursuing the Dream by Alyson Rudd Mainstream Publishing (16 Oct 1997) ISBN 1851589570
• A Question of Honour by Lord Michael Levy Simon & Schuster (12 May 2008) ISBN 1847373151

Persondata
Name	Harding, Matthew Charles
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	26 December 1953
Place of birth
Date of death	22 October 1996
Place of death	Cheshire