Michael Hintze
Credentials
- MBA, Harvard Business School.1“Sir Michael Hintze, AM,” LinkedIn. Accessed January 8, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- MSC. in Acoustics, University of New South Wales.2“Sir Michael Hintze, AM,” LinkedIn. Accessed January 8, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- Doctor of Business, University of New South Wales.3“Sir Michael Hintze, AM,” LinkedIn. Accessed January 8, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- BSc. Physics and Pure Mathematics, University of Sydney.4“Sir Michael Hintze, AM,” LinkedIn. Accessed January 8, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- BEng. Electrical Engineering, University of Sydney.5“Sir Michael Hintze, AM,” LinkedIn. Accessed January 8, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
Background
Australian hedge fund manager Michael Hintze is one of the biggest donors to the UK’s Conservative Party and has been dubbed the godfather of Tory donors by some in the British press. He also donated money to the Brexit campaign and is one of the key funders of UK climate science denial thinktank the Global Warming Policy Foundation.6“About,” Michael Hintze. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/GC9M6 7James Lyons. “Cabinet ministers and Boris lord it up at Tory donor’s £3 MILLION birthday bash,” Mirror, October 29, 2013. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/VhWS0 8Graham Readfearn. “Michael Hintze revealed as funder of Lord Lawson’s climate thinktank,” The Guardian, March 27, 2012. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/uKrgA
In 1999 Hintze launched his hedge fund Convertible & Quantitative Strategies (CQS) in London after stints at Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse First Boston. In 2011, Hintze was also revealed as one of Liam Fox’s closest supporters. Hintze helped to bankroll office space and trips for Fox and colleagues involved with the now defunct libertarian thinktank the Atlantic Bridge. Hintze was also a member of the Atlantic Bridge’s advisory council along with Boris Johnson and Michael Gove.9“About,” Michael Hintze. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/GC9M6
Hintze is also a trustee of the UK neoliberal thinktank the Institute of Economic Affairs. Hintze and his charitable family foundation have also donated to charities of the UK‘s Prince Charles, to restoration works in the Vatican, and to various organisations in the arts and museums world. The Hintze Hall in London’s Natural History Museum was so named after a $5 million donation from the Hintze foundation.10“Trustees,“ IEA. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/7HGYF 11“About,” Michael Hintze. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/GC9M6 12Alexandra Rucki. “Natural History museum receives £5 million donation from philanthropists Sir Michael and Lady Hintze,” Evening Standard, May 8, 2014. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/3IbPZ
Charitable Giving
According to a search for “Michael Hintze” at the Electoral Commission, he gave at least the following amounts to political parties and candidates between 2002 and 2018:13Electoral Commission Search performed January 8, 2019. Archived data on file at DeSmog.
View the attached spreadsheet for more details on Michael Hintze’s political donations by year (.xlsx).
Permitted Participant | £225,000 |
No Campaign Limited | £25,000 |
Vote Leave Limited | £100,000 |
Political Party | £3,886,386 |
Conservative and Unionist Party | £3,886,386 |
Regulated Donee | £89,200 |
Mr Adam Holloway MP | £1,500 |
Mr Boris Johnson MP | £5,000 |
The Rt Hon David Davis MP | £11,000 |
The Rt Hon David Willetts MP | £25,000 |
The Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP | £10,000 |
The Rt Hon George Osborne MP | £37,500 |
The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP | £2,000 |
The Rt Hon Theresa May MP | £1,200 |
Grand Total | £4,104,586 |
Stance on Climate Change
While Hintze avoids public statements, he is reportedly one of the earliest financial backers of the UK’s only climate science denial thinktank, the Global Warming Policy Foundation. A dedicated supporter, he attended the group’s 2017 annual invitation-only lecture delivered by former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.14“2017 Annual GWPF Lecture. Tony Abbott MP – ‘Daring to Doubt‘,” YouTube video uploaded by user “GWPF,” October 10, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. 15Graham Readfearn. “Climate Scientists Attack Tony Abbott’s ‘Misleading’ Speech to Global Warming Policy Foundation,” DeSmog, October 9, 2017.
Key Quotes
January 1, 2015
“Markets are a good thing and they are the best way of ensuring we have fairness,” Hintze said in an interview with the Daily Mail.16Alex Brummer. “Dropping Hintze on global markets,” Daily Mail, January 1, 2015. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Retrieved from PressReader.
Key Deeds
November 2021
Hintze gave a £1,000 Conservative Party gala ticket to Tory leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch, a junior minister in the department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.17Adam Barnett. “Kemi Badenoch Gifted Tory Gala Ticket by Climate Denial Funder,” DeSmog, July 13, 2022. Badenoch was later appointed Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, as well as Minister for Women and Equalities.18“The Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP,” GOV.UK. Archived February 2, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aL5V0
October 2019
Hintze donated £3,000 to Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt ahead of the 2019 general election.19Adam Barnett. “Kemi Badenoch Gifted Tory Gala Ticket by Climate Denial Funder,” DeSmog, July 13, 2022. Mordaunt later became the Leader of the House of Commons on September 6, 2022.20“The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP,” GOV.UK. Archived January 26, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7OmaE
October 2017
Hintze attended the GWPF’s annual lecture given by former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.21“2017 Annual GWPF Lecture. Tony Abbott MP – ‘Daring to Doubt‘,” YouTube video uploaded by user “GWPF,” October 10, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. 22Graham Readfearn. “Climate Scientists Attack Tony Abbott’s ‘Misleading’ Speech to Global Warming Policy Foundation,” DeSmog, October 9, 2017.
July 2016
Hintze donated £100,000 to the Vote Leave campaign group on 22 June, the day before Britain headed to the polls to vote in the EU Referendum.23“Vote Leave Limited, Cash (C0243562),” The Electoral Commission. Accessed January 8, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
May 2014
Through a family trust, the Hintze Family Charitable Foundation, Hintze and his wife donated £5 million to the Natural History Museum in London. This was the largest donation the museum had ever received in its 133-year history, and saw the renaming of the central hall to Hintze Hall.24“Natural History Museum receives £5m donation,” BBC News, May 8, 2014. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/TchjL
The money will be used for scientific research and to maintain collections, it was reported at the time. “We feel privileged to be able to make a contribution towards securing this centre of scientific knowledge and research for present and future generations,” Hintze said.25“Natural History Museum receives £5m donation,” BBC News, May 8, 2014. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/TchjL
October 2013
Michael Hintze’s £3m 60th birthday bash was attended by senior Tory politicians Theresa May, Boris Johnson, William Hague, and Chris Grayling.26James Lyons. “Cabinet ministers and Boris lord it up at Tory donor’s £3 MILLION birthday bash,” Mirror, October 29, 2013. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/VhWS0
2009
In 2009 Theresa May, then Conservative shadow minister for work and pensions, was the beneficiary of £1,200 in “hospitality” from Michael Hintze.27Electoral Commission Search performed January 8, 2019. Archived data on file at DeSmog.
2007–2009
Between 2007 and 2009 Hintze donated £11,000 to David Davis (note one donation is under a misspelling of “Hitnze”).28Electoral Commission Search performed January 8, 2019. Archived data on file at DeSmog.
2007–2008
In the run up to Boris Johnson’s 2008 May London Mayoral Election, Michael Hintze donated the following: £2,000 in December 2007, £2,000 in February 2008, and £1,000 in March 2008.29Electoral Commission Search performed January 8, 2019. Archived data on file at DeSmog.
January 2007
Hintze donated £10,000 to Liam Fox, who at the time was the UK’s Defence Secretary and founder of the Atlantic Bridge.30Electoral Commission Search performed January 8, 2019. Archived data on file at DeSmog.
Affiliations
- Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) — Trustee and funder.31“Trustees,“ IEA. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/7HGYF
- Convertible & Quantitative Strategies (CQS) — Founded in 1999.32“About,” Michael Hintze. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/GC9M6
- Goldman Sachs — Variety of roles, beginning in 1984.33“About,” Michael Hintze. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/GC9M6
- Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) — Variety of roles.34“About,” Michael Hintze. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/GC9M6
Social Media
- Sir Michael Hintze, AM on LinkedIn.
Publications
Michael Hintze does not appear to have published any articles in mainstream news publications.
Other Resources
- “Michael Hintze,” LittleSis.
- “Michael Hintze,” Wikipedia.
- “How hedge fund manager Michael Hintze makes money from geopolitical unrest,” Financial Review, July 26, 2017.
Resources
Photo: Wikimedia Commons | CC2.0
- 1“Sir Michael Hintze, AM,” LinkedIn. Accessed January 8, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 2“Sir Michael Hintze, AM,” LinkedIn. Accessed January 8, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 3“Sir Michael Hintze, AM,” LinkedIn. Accessed January 8, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 4“Sir Michael Hintze, AM,” LinkedIn. Accessed January 8, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 5“Sir Michael Hintze, AM,” LinkedIn. Accessed January 8, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 6“About,” Michael Hintze. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/GC9M6
- 7James Lyons. “Cabinet ministers and Boris lord it up at Tory donor’s £3 MILLION birthday bash,” Mirror, October 29, 2013. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/VhWS0
- 8Graham Readfearn. “Michael Hintze revealed as funder of Lord Lawson’s climate thinktank,” The Guardian, March 27, 2012. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/uKrgA
- 9“About,” Michael Hintze. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/GC9M6
- 10“Trustees,“ IEA. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/7HGYF
- 11“About,” Michael Hintze. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/GC9M6
- 12Alexandra Rucki. “Natural History museum receives £5 million donation from philanthropists Sir Michael and Lady Hintze,” Evening Standard, May 8, 2014. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/3IbPZ
- 13Electoral Commission Search performed January 8, 2019. Archived data on file at DeSmog.
- 14“2017 Annual GWPF Lecture. Tony Abbott MP – ‘Daring to Doubt‘,” YouTube video uploaded by user “GWPF,” October 10, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.
- 15Graham Readfearn. “Climate Scientists Attack Tony Abbott’s ‘Misleading’ Speech to Global Warming Policy Foundation,” DeSmog, October 9, 2017.
- 16Alex Brummer. “Dropping Hintze on global markets,” Daily Mail, January 1, 2015. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Retrieved from PressReader.
- 17Adam Barnett. “Kemi Badenoch Gifted Tory Gala Ticket by Climate Denial Funder,” DeSmog, July 13, 2022.
- 18“The Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP,” GOV.UK. Archived February 2, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aL5V0
- 19Adam Barnett. “Kemi Badenoch Gifted Tory Gala Ticket by Climate Denial Funder,” DeSmog, July 13, 2022.
- 20“The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP,” GOV.UK. Archived January 26, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7OmaE
- 21“2017 Annual GWPF Lecture. Tony Abbott MP – ‘Daring to Doubt‘,” YouTube video uploaded by user “GWPF,” October 10, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.
- 22Graham Readfearn. “Climate Scientists Attack Tony Abbott’s ‘Misleading’ Speech to Global Warming Policy Foundation,” DeSmog, October 9, 2017.
- 23“Vote Leave Limited, Cash (C0243562),” The Electoral Commission. Accessed January 8, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 24“Natural History Museum receives £5m donation,” BBC News, May 8, 2014. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/TchjL
- 25“Natural History Museum receives £5m donation,” BBC News, May 8, 2014. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/TchjL
- 26James Lyons. “Cabinet ministers and Boris lord it up at Tory donor’s £3 MILLION birthday bash,” Mirror, October 29, 2013. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/VhWS0
- 27Electoral Commission Search performed January 8, 2019. Archived data on file at DeSmog.
- 28Electoral Commission Search performed January 8, 2019. Archived data on file at DeSmog.
- 29Electoral Commission Search performed January 8, 2019. Archived data on file at DeSmog.
- 30Electoral Commission Search performed January 8, 2019. Archived data on file at DeSmog.
- 31“Trustees,“ IEA. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/7HGYF
- 32“About,” Michael Hintze. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/GC9M6
- 33“About,” Michael Hintze. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/GC9M6
- 34“About,” Michael Hintze. Archived January 8, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/GC9M6