Tom Hunter

Infobox_Celebrity


image_size = 150px
name = Sir Thomas Blane Hunter
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caption =
birth_date = Birth date and age|1961|5|6|df=y
birth_place = New Cumnock, Ayrshire
occupation = Property and sports goods
networth = £1.05 billion ($2.13 billion)
website =
spouse =

Sir Thomas Blane Hunter (born 6 May 1961) is a Scottish businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

Wealth

Sir Tom graduated from the Business School of the University of Strathclyde, then began his career by selling trainers from the back of a van. Later he opened concessions in large city centre shopping precincts. During those early days he had difficulty in obtaining supplies as a number of major branded sport shoe only wanted their shoes sold in brand name sports shops. In due course he was able to persuade all the major brands to supply him. In 1984, he founded the Sports Division chain of sports shops. He built this up into a leading retailer. In 1998, he sold the chain to JJB Sports, making over £250 million.

In March 2001, Hunter was a founding partner of West Coast Capital, an investment firm. Through this firm, he has become a major shareholder in a number of retailers - including USC, Office, D2, and Qube. One of his most significant shareholdings is in BHS, of which he owns approximately eight percent. Philip Green owns the rest of the business.

Substantial investments in commercial property, shopping centres - since 2001 via holdings in Nick Leslau's Prestbury Investment Holdingsciteweb|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20020210/ai_n12574093|title=How the Westway was won by tycoon|publisher=Sunday Herald|date=2002-02-10|accessdate=2008-08-26] - and licensed premises also contribute to his extensive portfolio.

In 2001, Hunter was interviewed for the stv programme "Rich, Gifted and Scots" discussing his wealth, influences and philanthropy. [ [http://www.scotlandontv.tv/scotland_on_tv/video.html?vxSiteId=60fdd544-9c52-4e17-be7e-57a2a2d76992&vxChannel=TodayScot%20People&vxClipId=1380_SMG889&vxBitrate=300 Rich, Gifted and Scots featuring Tom Hunter, 2001] ]

Hunter was listed on the Sunday Times Rich List 2005 as the 2nd richest man in Scotland, with an estimated wealth of £678m.In the Sunday Times Rich List 2006, he was ranked as the richest man in Scotland, with an estimated wealth of £780m.

By April 2007, Hunter was reportedly the first ever home-grown billionaire in Scotland. He is currently the richest individual in Scotland, with wealth was recently estimated at £1.05 billion, and is currently the owner of Britain's largest garden centre chain - Wyevale Garden Centres. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6603897.stm BBC News - Billionaire Hunter tops rich list] ]

Hunter tried, unsuccesfully, to take over Rangers Football Club Ltd. on two occasions. Both rejected by the current Chairman, Sir David Murray.

Philanthropy

Along with his wife Marion, Hunter established The Hunter Foundation in 1998. [*Scottish charity|SC027532|The Hunter Foundation] It has since donated millions to supporting educational and entrepreneurial projects in Scotland.

Hunter has been a major supporter of Band Aid, donating over £6m to the appeal. The Hunter Foundation has provided £1m to support the Make Poverty History campaign and has supported the Live 8 concerts.

In 2005, Hunter invested £100,000 in a £500,000 joint project with the Scottish Executive. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4470439.stm BBC News - Tycoon invests in schools scheme] ] Later that year he received a knighthood for "services to Philanthropy and to Entrepreneurship in Scotland". [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4081780.stm BBC News - Sir Tom Hunter 'chuffed' at award] ]

Tom Hunters Ethical Policy Still Remains Untouched With His Cheap Fashionable Items From Third World Countries Making a Booming Profit And Not Improving The Workers Salaries In The UK.

The Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, in the University of Strathclyde, was established with a £5m donation.

In November 2006, he donated £1 million to the Children in Need charity appeal telethon, via the Hunter Foundation. On 16 March 2007, he donated £1 million to the Comic Relief charity appeal, via the Hunter Foundation, to match the £1 million raised during "Comic Relief Does The Apprentice".

In July 2007 it was reported that he pledged to donate a further £1 billion to charity. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6903605.stm BBC News - Tycoon to donate £1bn to charity] ]

Sir Tom Hunter was, in 2003, rewarded for his philanthropy with the Beacon Fellowship Prize for his contribution to pioneering and innovative projects in the field of education.

References

External links

* [http://www.thehunterfoundation.co.uk/ The Hunter Foundation]
* [http://www.thehunterfoundation.co.uk/about/trustees_and_governance/sir_tom_hunter/ Sir Tom Hunter]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6903772.stm Profile: Sir Tom Hunter]
* [http://www.westcoastcapital.co.uk/about/tom_hunter/ West Coast Capital - Sir Tom Hunter]