Tom Hunter facts for kids

Sir Thomas Blane Hunter, born on May 6, 1961, is a successful businessman and generous giver from Scotland. He is known for building big companies and for his charity work.

Building a Business Empire

Starting a Business: Sports Division

After finishing university, Thomas Hunter decided to start his own business. He got a £5,000 loan from his father, who was a grocer, and a bank matched that amount. He began by selling sports shoes from the back of a van. Over time, he grew this small business into Sports Division, which became the largest independent sports retailer in Europe.

In 1998, another company called JJB Sports offered to buy Sports Division for £290 million. Hunter accepted the offer, which meant he earned £252 million from the sale.

Other Business Ventures

After selling Sports Division, Hunter continued to invest in many different businesses. He worked closely with Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) to expand his investments.

Investing in Property and Entertainment

Through his connections, Hunter started investing in property development. This included buying parts of companies that built homes, like Crest Nicholson and McCarthy & Stone. He also invested in the property of Travelodge hotels, pubs, and even famous theme parks like Alton Towers, which are part of Merlin Entertainments.

In 2013, Hunter provided a large loan to his friend David Moulsdale. This loan helped save Optical Express, an eye surgery clinic company, from closing down.

More recently, in September 2020, Hunter sold shares worth £52 million in a company called The Hut Group when it joined the stock market. He sold more shares in January 2021, but he still owns a part of the company worth £105 million.

West Coast Capital Investments

In 2001, Hunter helped start West Coast Capital. This company manages investments for the Hunter family. Through West Coast Capital, he became a major owner in several retail companies, including USC, Office, D2, and Qube. He also owned 8% of British Home Stores (BHS) for a time.

At its busiest, West Coast Capital invested in more than 50 companies. Hunter was even considered a possible buyer for the famous Selfridges department store. However, during the 2008 financial crisis, he sold some of his investments and lost money in others.

Today, West Coast Capital has important investments in property, online businesses, and data analysis. This includes a large share in Secure Income Reit Plc and a big development project called Winchburgh Village. West Coast Capital also helps fund The Hunter Foundation, which is a charity.

One of the company's investments is a 3.37% share in The Hut Group. This share was worth £151.6 million when the company was listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2020.

Giving Back: Philanthropy

After selling Sports Division, Hunter decided to stay in Scotland to raise his family. He realized that making money was "only half of the equation." He was inspired by Andrew Carnegie, a famous philanthropist, who believed that "a man who dies rich, dies disgraced."

The Hunter Foundation

In 1998, Thomas Hunter and his wife Marion started The Hunter Foundation with a £10 million donation. They wanted to use their wealth to help others. After talking with the head of the Carnegie Foundation in New York City, Hunter decided to focus on supporting education and business projects in Scotland. They also work on sustainable development in Africa with former President Bill Clinton through the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative.

Hunter created the idea of "venture philanthropy." This means he uses his own money to encourage others to invest with him. He also gets involved in how the projects are run to make sure his money has the biggest possible impact.

Key Donations and Projects

The Hunter Foundation has supported many important causes, including:

• £6 million to the Band Aid appeal.
• £1 million to support the Make Poverty History campaign.
• Supporting the Live 8 concerts.
• £5 million to create the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of Strathclyde.
• £4 million to the Children in Need charity appeal, including a £3 million donation for the Rickshaw Challenge in 2019.
• £1 million to the Comic Relief charity appeal. He also matched £1 million raised during Comic Relief Does The Apprentice.
• Between US$10 million and US$25 million to the William J. Clinton Foundation.
• Supporting the Entrepreneurial Spark program, which helps new businesses get started.
• £1 million given to the Alzheimer's Society and Music for Dementia in November 2020. This was inspired by a retired teacher with dementia whose piano tune became a charity song.
• He offered to match donations up to £3 million for Paddy McGuinness' Children in Need challenge, where he rode a Raleigh Chopper bicycle from Wrexham to Glasgow.

Jack McConnell, Scotland's former first minister, praised Hunter's charity work. He said that Hunter's foundation has been a major force for positive change in Scotland.

In October 2013, Hunter received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. This award is sometimes called the "Nobel Prize for philanthropy" because it recognizes people who use their private wealth for the public good. He dedicated the award to his father, who he called his "hero and inspiration." He also donated over £1,000,000 to children in need in 2018.

After the death of former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond in North Macedonia on October 12, 2024, Hunter agreed to help pay for his body to be brought back to Scotland.

Public Life and Recognition

Involvement in Politics

In 2001, Hunter was one of the top donors to the Labour Party in the UK, giving £100,000 to their main office.

In August 2014, Hunter launched a website called scotlandseptember18.com. This website aimed to provide fair information about the Scottish independence referendum that happened that year. It focused on 16 key questions about the debate.

Awards and Honors

• In 1997, he was named Alumnus of the Year by the University of Strathclyde.
• In 2005, he received a knighthood for his contributions to charity and business in Scotland. This means he can be called "Sir Thomas Hunter."
• In 2013, he was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.

Personal Life

Sir Thomas Hunter and his wife Marion, Lady Hunter, have three adult children.

In 2001, it is said that Hunter spent £1 million on his 40th birthday party, where the famous singer Stevie Wonder performed. The party was held at his home in Cap Ferrat, France, which he later sold for reportedly £55 million in late 2007.

In April 2007, the Sunday Times Rich List reported that Hunter was the first person born in Scotland to become a billionaire, with an estimated wealth of £1.05 billion. However, due to the 2008 financial crisis, his fortune decreased by about £250 million. By late 2007, he was no longer Scotland's richest man. According to the Sunday Times Rich List in 2021, Hunter's wealth was estimated at £729 million.