Philip Hulme, co-founder of Computacenter, has emerged as a significant donor for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, offering substantial financial backing.
- Hulme reportedly made seven separate donations, each worth £25,000, totalling over £100,000 to the right-wing party.
- His contributions were disclosed by the Electoral Commission, with the most recent donation preceding the July general election.
- Despite Hulme’s substantial contributions, rumours of a £100m donation from Elon Musk to Reform UK were denied by both Musk and Farage.
- The involvement of major figures like Hulme and the rumours surrounding Musk highlight a convergence of business interests and politics in the UK.
Philip Hulme, the co-founder of the FTSE 250 company Computacenter, has been revealed as a major financial supporter of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. As per data released by the Electoral Commission, Hulme has donated to the party seven times, with each donation amounting to £25,000, contributing to a total of over £100,000 by December 2024.
Computacenter, a company known for its technology infrastructure and IT strategy services, was co-founded by Hulme in 1981 and went public on the London Stock Exchange in 1999. Despite stepping down as a director in 2012, Hulme remains a prominent figure in the business world, with his net worth estimated at approximately £583.1 million in 2023.
The timing of the donations is particularly noteworthy, with the most recent one occurring just days before the general election in July, suggesting a strategic effort to bolster the party’s campaign.
Interestingly, Hulme is not alone in providing substantial financial support to Reform UK. Southampton-based Hepburn Biocare also contributed £70,000 to the party. This demonstrates a growing interest and investment from various sectors, including tech and eco-friendly industries, aligning with Reform UK’s political activities.
While Hulme’s donations are confirmed, a speculative claim of a massive $100m funding boost from Elon Musk was refuted by both Musk and Farage. Although Musk denied the figure, he hinted at potential future contributions to the organisation, thereby keeping the connection between business interests and political influence in the public eye.
Musk’s engagement with the party, even on a speculative level, underscores the fusion of entrepreneurial ambition and political interest. As confirmed by Farage, discussions with Musk have taken place, though no financial support has been admitted.
The financial contributions by Philip Hulme signify a noteworthy intersection of business pursuits and political influence within the UK.
