Hugh van Cutsem
Hugh van Cutsem | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 July 1941 |
| Died | 2 September 2013 (aged 72) |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, entrepreneur, landowner, horse breeder |
| Known for | Prominent English banker and landowner; founder of Countryside Movement; horse breeder |
Hugh Bernard Edward van Cutsem (21 July 1941 – 2 September 2013) was a prominent English figure known for his roles as a banker, entrepreneur, landowner, and horse breeder.
Early life and education
Hugh van Cutsem was born on 21 July 1941 to Bernard van Cutsem, a wealthy horse trainer and breeder, and Mary Compton, who hailed from the chief lineage of Clan Farquharson. The van Cutsem family, originally Belgian Catholics, established themselves in England during the nineteenth century.
His education began at Sunningdale School, followed by Ampleforth College, a Roman Catholic boarding institution located in North Yorkshire. He later completed his studies at the University of Cambridge. After university, he served as an officer in the Life Guards regiment.
Business career
Van Cutsem’s professional journey included work as an investment banker at Hambros Bank. Subsequently, he launched his own enterprise and expanded his portfolio by acquiring various companies, including one specializing in data storage.
Land ownership
In 1976, Van Cutsem came into possession of Northmore Farm, a stud farm near Newmarket, Suffolk. His holdings also encompassed a 4,000-acre estate in Norfolk, renowned for private wild game shooting activities, as well as a hunting lodge featuring grouse moorland on the border between North Yorkshire and Cumbria. During the 1990s, he sold Northmore Farm and transferred his horse-breeding operations to the Hilborough estate in Norfolk. In recognition of his efforts restoring a barn on Hilborough in 1994, he was honored with an award from the Country Landowners' Association, presented by the Prince of Wales (now Charles III).
He played a foundational role in establishing the Countryside Movement, which later became the Countryside Alliance with a focus on shooting interests. Van Cutsem was instrumental as a fundraiser for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust and held the position of Chairman at the Countryside Business Trust. Furthermore, he was elected to serve on the Council of the National Trust.
Marriage and issue
On 10 June 1971, Van Cutsem wed Emilie Quarles van Ufford, daughter of Dutch Jonkheer Pieter Quarles van Ufford. Together they had four sons:
- Edward Bernard Charles van Cutsem (born 1973); godson to King Charles III and served as page boy at his wedding to Lady Diana Spencer; educated at Ampleforth College and graduated from Durham University in 1995; formerly managing director at BlackRock and active in venture capital; married Lady Tamara Grosvenor in 2004. They have three children: Jake (born 2009), Louis (born 2012), and Isla (born 2015).
- Hugh Ralph van Cutsem (born 1974); married Rose Nancy Langhorne Astor in 2005. Their three children include Grace (born 2007), goddaughter of the Prince of Wales and bridesmaid at his wedding; Rafe (born 2009); and Charles Hugh Valentine, who serves as a page of honour to King Charles III.
- Nicholas Peter Geoffrey van Cutsem (born 1977); godfather to Prince Louis of Wales; married Alice C. Hadden-Paton in 2009. They have one daughter, Florence (born 2014), who is goddaughter to the Duke of Sussex and was a bridesmaid at his wedding.
- William Henry van Cutsem (born 1979); godfather to Prince George of Wales; educated at Ampleforth College; married Rosanna Ruck-Keene in 2013.
The family leased Anmer Hall on the royal Sandringham estate for a decade before relocating to a neo-Palladian residence designed by Francis Johnson situated on their Hilborough estate.
A committed Catholic, Van Cutsem constructed a chapel near Hilborough for private family worship and arranged for priests to visit regularly. He frequently attended Mass at Our Lady of Pity church in Swaffham. In 1993, he was honored with knighthood by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. During his university years, he developed a close friendship with King Charles III.
Death and funeral
Van Cutsem passed away on 2 September 2013 at the age of 72. His funeral service took place at Brentwood Cathedral in Essex, officiated by Thomas McMahon, the Bishop of Brentwood. Each of his four sons participated by delivering a reading; the prayer of commendation was offered by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, while the choir sang "Pie Jesu". Among those present were the then Prince of Wales (who later became Charles III), his sons Prince William and Prince Harry, along with Camilla, who was then the Duchess of Cornwall. Distinguished guests also included Andrew Parker Bowles, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, the Prince and Princess of Liechtenstein, as well as Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland and Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster accompanied by Natalia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster.