Who is Michael Platt? Richest Billionaire in the U.K: Biography, Personal Life And Net Worth

Who is the Richest Person in the United Kingdom in 2025?

• Richest Person:Michael Platt

• Age: 56

• Net Worth: $18 Billion

• Rank: 104

• Source of Wealth: Hedge funds

• Residence: Geneva, Switzerland

• Education: Bachelor of Arts/Science, London School of Economics; Bachelor of Arts/Science, London School of Economics

Michael Platt

Who is Michael Platt?

Michael Edward Platt, often known as Mike Platt, is the co-founder of BlueCrest Capital Management (UK) LLP, which for a significant period ranked as Europe's third-largest hedge fund. The successful entrepreneur established this systematic hedge fund in 2000 alongside Bill Reeves, who later retired. Platt presently holds the positions of principal, CEO, and director of the firm.

BlueCrest Capital Management has its headquarters in Guernsey, England, with additional branch offices registered in Boston, London, Geneva, Connecticut, New York, and Singapore.

Michael Platt: Early Life and Education

Michael Platt was born on December 12, 1968, and grew up in a close-knit family in Preston, England. Initially following in his father's footsteps—a professor at Manchester University—Platt enrolled at Imperial College London to study civil engineering. However, after losing interest during his first year, he transferred to the London School of Economics, where he studied mathematics and economics, eventually earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1992.

Platt’s family significantly influenced his early life and career. From his mother's administrative background and his father's academic expertise in civil engineering, Platt developed a strong work ethic and enthusiasm for intellectual challenges. Additionally, his grandmother provided him with valuable investment advice, laying the foundation for his future success in the financial industry.

Michael Platt: Career

Michael Platt's move to the city and subsequent recognition of its investment potential were initially sparked by shares his grandmother had given him. In 1991, Platt became a Managing Director at JP Morgan, overseeing relative value trading. By April 1992, he was leading JP Morgan's options and swaps trading division. A year later, Platt was appointed head of all trading activities related to swaps products across the 11 founding European Union countries. In 2000, alongside William Reeves, he co-founded BlueCrest Capital Management LLP.

With rapid growth, BlueCrest Capital Management (UK) LLP has emerged as one of Europe's leading investment firms, managing investor assets exceeding £30 billion and employing approximately 350 people at its London office. The firm maintains its formal headquarters in Guernsey and has significant global operations, including registered branch offices in New York, Boston, Singapore, Geneva, and London.

BlueCrest Capital Management has received considerable recognition from the trading community, earning multiple awards for its strategic approach and exceptional management of investor funds. Notably, the hedge fund has received several EuroHedge awards, including Management Firm of the Year in 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Additionally, its BlueTrend managed futures strategy—originally led by Michael Platt and currently by Leda Braga—has garnered numerous nominations and accolades.

Leveraging advanced technology and computer-based systems, BlueCrest Capital Management specializes in capturing trends in bonds and commodities within the European market. In 2013, the company expanded its focus to include stock trading to compete effectively with industry leaders at the time, such as Millennium Management LLC and SAC Capital Advisors LLP.

In a notable instance in 2011, Michael Platt reportedly declined a significant investment proposal from the renowned investor George Soros. Soros had intended to transform his hedge fund into a family office and cease managing external client investments. He approached Platt, offering around $1 billion with a proposed performance fee of 10% and a management fee of 0.5%. Platt rejected the offer, citing abundant interest from other investors willing to accept BlueCrest's standard industry fee structure of 2% management and 20% performance fees.

Michael Platt: Personal Life

Platt resides in Geneva, Switzerland, and is married. He is a well-known art collector who assembled a collection of contemporary works by commissioning well-known artists rather than going picture shopping. In the crypt of a deconsecrated church at One Marylebone, he maintains a private showroom with artwork by various artists, including Reece Jones, the Turner Prize-winning sculptor Keith Tyson, and taxidermist Polly Morgan.

Michael Platt: Net Worth

Platt's career achievements are matched by his remarkable financial success. With an approximate net worth of $18 billion, Platt is one of the world's richest hedge fund managers. His exceptional wealth has strengthened his status as a financial authority in addition to increasing his personal wealth. Platt added yet another honor to his extensive resume in 2019 when he was named as one of the highest-earning hedge fund managers.

Platt turned BlueCrest into one of the biggest hedge fund companies in the world, managing over $35 billion in assets at its height.

After making a push into stocks and seeing bad returns, investors left, and in 2015 he returned the capital of outside investors, turning BlueCrest back into a family office.

Since then, the company has prospered, producing returns as high as 153% in 2022 and 95% in 2020, with no years seeing a decline of 20% or more.

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