Early Life and Education
Christopher Anthony Hohn was born in October 1966 in Addlestone, Surrey, England. His father was a Jamaican-born car mechanic, and his mother was a legal secretary. Hohn attended the University of Southampton, graduating in 1988 with first-class honors in accounting and business economics. He then pursued an MBA at Harvard Business School, graduating as a Baker Scholar in 1993, a distinction for being in the top 5% of his class.
Rise to Success
Hohn began his career at Apax Partners in 1994 and later joined Perry Capital in 1996. He was made head of Perry's London operations in 1998. In 2003, Hohn founded The Children's Investment Fund Management (TCI), a hedge fund known for its value-based investing and long-term focus. TCI's success propelled Hohn's wealth and reputation, with the fund managing approximately $58 billion as of 2025.
Key Business Strategies
Hohn is recognized as an activist investor, acquiring significant stakes in companies and advocating for changes in corporate governance to increase shareholder value. TCI focuses on high-quality companies with sustainable competitive advantages. The firm is also known for its rigorous research and long-term investment horizon. Hohn's "Say on Climate" initiative pushes companies to disclose and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
Philanthropy
In 2002, Hohn and his then-wife, Jamie Cooper, established the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), a philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in developing countries. CIFF has contributed billions of dollars to initiatives focused on child welfare, health, education, and environmental sustainability. Hohn's philanthropic efforts earned him a knighthood in 2014. In 2024, CIFF's grant disbursements totaled $631 million.
