Nigel Wilson (businessman)
Nigel Wilson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Nigel David Wilson 17 November 1956 |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | University of Essex Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Title | Group CEO, Legal & General |
| Term | 2012–present |
| Predecessor | Tim Breedon |
| Successor | Incumbent |
| Children | 5 daughters |
Sir Nigel David Wilson (born 17 November 1956) is a British businessman. He is the group chief executive (Group CEO) of Legal & General, a British multinational financial services company.
Early life
Wilson earned a degree in economics from the University of Essex[1] and a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[1]
Career
He has been CEO of Legal & General Group since 30 June 2012, having joined as group chief financial officer on 1 September 2009.[2]
He was knighted in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to the finance industry and regional development.[3]
In September 2022, Wilson turned down the position as Minister for Investment in the British government.[4]
Media Commentator
During his period as CEO of Legal & General, Wilson has often been quoted in the media on a range of subjects, usually commenting on government policies which he perceives to be anti-business. His frequently outspoken views led The Sunday Times to describe him as ‘Marmite’.[5] Controversial opinions expressed by Wilson have included several attempts to encourage the government to allow developers to build housing on Green Belt land.[6][7] He has also been an outspoken critic of government environmental policy, commenting in relation to wind farms that ‘The government is deluding itself that it is saving the world with these ugly modern windmills’.[8] Wilson went on to claim that Legal & General, one of the UK’s largest investors, ‘would not put a single penny into wind farms’ (although several years later Legal & General did in fact invest circa £700m in large windfarm developments at Walney and Hornsea[9]).
Wilson has made a number of outspoken political interventions, being described as ‘one of the highest profile supporters of Brexit in the Square Mile’.[10][11] He also spoke in favour of Liz Truss’ controversial plans for widespread tax-cuts,[12] plans which later played a major part in Truss's ill-fated mini-budget.
Personal life
Wilson has five daughters.[13] He has won several national masters athletics championships.[13]
References
- ^ a b Shah, Oliver (3 July 2016). "There is so much money around — we need to spend it on our cities". The Sunday Times. ISSN 0956-1382. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ "Nigel D. Wilson : Executive Profile". BusinessWeek. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ^ "No. 63571". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 2022. p. N2.
- ^ Swinford, Richard Fletcher Steven. "City veteran Wilson snubs Truss offer of ministerial job". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ Dunkley, Emma (13 October 2019). "Nigel Wilson, L&G's marmite man, proves an acquired taste. The insurer's chief executive divides the city with his direct style". The Sunday Times.
- ^ Ahmed, Kamal (1 February 2017). "Housebuilder L&G wants 'reassessment' of green belt". BBC News website.
- ^ "Oxford University plans 2,000 new homes in and around city". BBC News website. 27 June 2019.
- ^ Salmon, James (10 August 2013). "Plans to build more wind farms are 'deluded', L&G boss warns the government". Scotland Against Spin.
- ^ "Legal & General completes financing on what is soon to be the largest windfarm in the world". Legal & General press release. 27 November 2018.
- ^ Foy, Simon (9 August 2022). "Liz Truss's tax cuts could trigger a wave of investment in the UK, says L&G chief". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ Samuel, Juliet (6 August 2014). "L&G Chief Says UK Should Quit EU Without Better Deal". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Foy, Simon (9 August 2022). "Liz Truss's tax cuts could trigger a wave of investment in the UK, says L&G chief". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ a b "Nigel Wilson". Legal & General. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
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