Michael Platt

$20.90 B

Ranked #117 in World

About Michael Platt

Michael Edward Platt, British billionaire and hedge fund legend, leads BlueCrest Capital Management, once Europe's third-largest hedge fund. Born in 1968 in Preston, Lancashire, and educated in economics at the London School of Economics, Platt soared to become Britain's wealthiest hedge fund manager with $15.2 billion. Since co-founding BlueCrest in 2000, he has navigated financial turmoil profitably, spearheaded revolutionary trading strategies, and privatized his firm in 2015. His assets are managed with a blend of systematic and discretionary strategies, ensuring his stature as a leading market influencer. Outside finance, Platt is a fervent art collector and made a cameo on Showtime's "Billions".

Born

March 18, 1968

Age

58 years

Source Of Wealth

Hedge Funds

Industries

Finance & Investments

Citizenship

United Kingdom

Residence

Geneva

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, London School of Economics; Bachelor of Arts/Science, London School of Economics

Michael Edward Platt, a British billionaire hedge fund manager, was born on October 24, 1968, in Preston, Lancashire, England. His father, a civil engineering professor at the University of Manchester, and his mother, a university administrator, provided him with a stable and intellectually stimulating upbringing. Platt's interest in investment was sparked by his grandmother, who introduced him to the world of finance.

Michael Platt: Family

Platt's family played a significant role in shaping his early life and career. His father's academic background in civil engineering and his mother's administrative experience instilled in him a strong work ethic and a passion for intellectual pursuits. His grandmother's guidance in investment laid the foundation for his future success in the financial industry.

Michael Platt: Career Highlights

After graduating from the London School of Economics in 1991 with a degree in mathematics and economics, Platt began his investment career in the City of London. He joined JP Morgan in the same year and quickly rose through the ranks, assuming responsibility for developing the bank's swaps and options trading business. In 1996, he became the head of trading for all swaps products related to the 11 founding states of the European single currency, the euro.

In 2000, Platt co-founded BlueCrest Capital Management LLP with William Reeves. Under Platt's leadership, BlueCrest grew into one of Europe's largest hedge fund firms, managing over £30 billion and employing 350 people as of 2014.

Michael Platt: Companies

Platt is best known for his role as the co-founder and managing director of BlueCrest Capital Management LLP, a leading hedge fund firm based in London. BlueCrest initially focused on trading interest rates and using computer algorithms to capture trends in bonds and commodities. In 2013, the firm expanded into trading equity to compete with industry giants like Millennium Management LLC and SAC Capital Advisors LLP.

Michael Platt: Major Achievements

Platt's most notable achievement is his successful navigation of the financial crisis of 2007-2008.

By discerning the impending stock market crash in August 2007, he sold bank shares, bought 'safe' sovereign bonds, and avoided the worst of the crisis. This strategic move resulted in significant profits for BlueCrest and solidified Platt's reputation as a skilled and astute investor.

Michael Platt: Awards & Achievements

Platt's contributions to the financial industry have been widely recognized. He has been named "the richest hedge fund manager in the City" by the Sunday Times and one of the highest-earning hedge fund managers and traders by Forbes. In 2019, BlueCrest's trading operation returned 53.5% net after expenses, earning Platt approximately $2 billion.

Michael Platt: Personal Life & Legacy

In 2010, Platt relocated from London to Geneva, Switzerland, to escape increased regulation and access better staffing options. He later moved to Jersey, along with his hedge fund, in 2014 for tax purposes. Platt is a notable art collector, known for commissioning contemporary artworks from renowned artists. He maintains a private showroom in the crypt of a deconsecrated church at One Marylebone.

Michael Platt: Trivia

Platt made a cameo appearance as himself in episode 1 of Season 3 of Showtime's series Billions, showcasing his influence and recognition within the hedge fund industry.

Wealth History

Timeline

1968

Michael Edward Platt is born in Preston, Lancashire, England.

1991

Platt graduates from the London School of Economics with a degree in mathematics and economics.

1991

Platt joins JP Morgan.

April 1992

Platt assumes responsibility for developing JP Morgan's swaps and options trading business.

April 1996

Platt becomes the head of trading for all swaps products relating to the 11 founding states of the European single currency, the euro.

2000

Platt co-founds BlueCrest Capital Management LLP with William Reeves.

August 2007

Platt discerns a stock market crash, sells bank shares, buys 'safe' sovereign bonds, avoids the worst of the financial crisis, profits from the resulting 'flight to quality' and plunge in interest rates.

2011

Platt declines George Soros's offer to take on more than $1 billion for a 0.5 percent management fee and a 10 percent performance fee.

2013

Platt invests $50 million in Meredith Whitney's hedge fund, Kenbelle Capital.

2014

Platt sues in Bermuda to get its money back from Kenbelle Capital.

December 2015

Platt announces that BlueCrest would return $7 billion for outside investors, take no outside money in the future, and become a private partnership.

2016

BlueCrest has a profit of almost 50 percent.

2017

Platt leads his private investment firm to a 54 percent gain.

2018

Platt is named 'the richest hedge fund manager in the City' by the Sunday Times.

March 2019

Platt is named one of the highest-earning hedge fund managers and traders by Forbes.

2019

BlueCrest's trading operation returned 53.5% net after expenses and made Platt approximately $2 billion.

2020

BlueCrest posts a 95 percent gain, swelled Platt's net worth to $10 billion.

2023

The Sunday Times Rich List estimates Platt's net worth at £11.50 billion.

Michael Platt : FAQs

What is Michael Platt's current net worth?

Michael Platt's current net worth is $20.90 billion.

What is Michael Platt's current global rank among billionaires?

Michael Platt holds the 117th position globally among billionaires.

What is Michael Platt's current ranking within the United Kingdom?

Michael Platt holds the 1st position in United Kingdom.

What was the change in Michael Platt's net worth compared to the previous year?

Michael Platt's net worth increased by 2.1 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 18.80 billion dollars.

What are Michael Platt's main sources of wealth?

Michael Platt's main source of income comes from Hedge Funds.

In which industry does Michael Platt primarily operate?

Michael Platt is primarily involved in the Finance & Investments industry.

What is Michael Platt educational background?

Michael Platt holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Arts/Science from London School of Economics.

How old is Michael Platt?

Michael Platt is 58 years old.

Who is Michael Edward Platt and what is he known for?

Michael Edward Platt is a British billionaire hedge fund manager, co-founder and managing director of BlueCrest Capital Management, and known as Europe's third-largest hedge-fund firm. He is also recognized as Britain's wealthiest hedge fund manager with an estimated wealth of US$15.2 billion.

What is BlueCrest Capital Management and how did it perform during financial crises?

BlueCrest Capital Management is a hedge fund co-founded by Michael Platt, notable for discerning a stock market crash in 2007 and making strategic moves that profited from the crisis. It became a private partnership in 2015 and posted significant gains in subsequent years, with a 95 percent gain in 2020.

What investment strategies does Michael Platt employ at BlueCrest Capital?

Michael Platt splits BlueCrest Capital's assets between systematic strategies which use pattern-spotting computer algorithms and discretionary trades conducted by human traders. He emphasizes the importance of aggressive stop losses, seeking traders who understand market edges, practice paranoia, and can admit when they are wrong.

What are some personal details about Michael Platt's life outside of his investment career?

Apart from his successful investment career, Michael Platt moved from London to Geneva in 2010 and later to Jersey in 2014 for tax purposes. He is a notable art collector with a private showroom and has appeared as himself on Showtime's series 'Billions'.