Jeremy Hosking was born on 20 July 1958. He graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1979.
Career
Marathon
Hosking first worked for G.T. Management PLC in Hong Kong and the United States. In 1986, Hosking co-founded Marathon Asset Management LLP in London, with Neil Ostrer and William Arah. Hosking led investment in South East Asia, the Americas and South Africa. Hosking has written various papers on investment and corporate governance, including "South East Asia: Eighteen Reasons to be Bearish" in August 1995.
Hosking & Co.
Hosking separated from Marathon in 2012, stating his intent to retire. In late 2012, Hosking set up Dublin-listed asset manager Hosking & Co. In October 2016 a judge has upheld a £10.4 million ruling on appeal claim made by Marathon Asset Management against Hosking. The company accused Hosking of breaching "contractual and fiduciary duties" while working there because he discussed plans for a new business with other employees. Hosking was made to pay £1.38 million in damages, and a further £10.4 million – half of the profits Hosking received for the period between mid-July and mid-December 2012 – in 2015. That was subject to an appeal in which Hosking argued profit shares could not be forfeited, but this was dismissed by the judge.
Private investments
In March 2010, Hosking bought the West Sussexcountry house hotel, the Gravetye Manor, out of administration. In August 2010, Hosking was part of a four-man consortium which bought Selhurst Park, and then residents Crystal Palace football club out of administration, via the limited company CPFC 2010. On 18 December 2015, it was announced that American investors Josh Harris and David Blitzer had bought a major share holding in the club. Whilst Steve Parish continued as chairman alongside Harris and Blitzer, fellow CPFC 2010 investors Browett, Long and Hosking each retained a reduced 8% investment.
Political activity
In December 2009, Hosking donated £30,000 for funding research support, to Conservative MP David Davis. Hosking donated £100,000 to the Conservative Party in the 2015 general election. Hosking donated £1.7 million to Vote Leave in the Brexit referendum of 2016. In the 2017 general election, he gave financial support to pro-Brexit candidates. In February 2019 Hosking submitted the paperwork to found a new party called Brexit Express, which would welcome Tory MPs unhappy with the Prime Minister's Brexit plans. At the same time, he launched a public campaign in favour of a no-deal Brexit. On 11 May 2019, The Guardian reported that Hosking had donated £200,000 to the Brexit Party.
Railways
Hosking owns a number of steam locomotives and three diesel locomotives, a number of which are operated by Locomotive Services Limited which is also under his control. He also founded the Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust, originally to purchase 6100 Royal Scot. The trust now owns a number of steam locomotives and operates workshops at. In 2016, Hosking purchased a one-third stake in the Dartmouth Steam Railway plc which operates the Paignton to Dartmouth heritage line in Devon.
