Jon Hunt

Jonathan Hunt
Born	Template:Birth year and age Colchester, England
Occupation(s)	Property magnate, entrepreneur
Years active	1981–present
Known for	Founder of Foxtons, Pavilion business members clubs, Wilderness Reserve

Jonathan Michael Hunt (born June 1953) is a British property magnate and billionaire, recognized primarily for founding the UK estate agency Foxtons and, more recently, the Pavilion chain of business members clubs. Additionally, he has developed Wilderness Reserve, a renovated natural estate situated in Suffolk's Yox Valley.

Early life and career

Born in June 1953 in Colchester, England, into a military family, Hunt secured a scholarship to attend the Millfield boarding school. After completing his 'O' Levels, he enlisted in the army and underwent basic training with the Royal Artillery, the same regiment where his father held the rank of colonel.

Following a short stint in Ottawa, Canada, where he worked washing cars, Hunt returned to the UK in 1972 and spent eight years working as an estate agent in Surrey towns Woking and Guildford.

In 2021, the Sunday Times Rich List valued his fortune at £1.345 billion.

Foxtons

Hunt’s journey into property began at age 19 when he borrowed £100 to purchase a one-bedroom flat in Woking for £4,500.

At 28 years old in 1981, Hunt launched Foxtons alongside his school friend Anthony Pelligrinelli, who contributed £30,000 during the first year. The company’s name was inspired by a village near Hunt’s home in Suffolk. Reflecting on its early days, Hunt commented:

"When Foxtons started in 1981, I was unaware there was an ongoing recession. I rarely read newspapers, especially business sections."

Foxtons’ office in Notting Hill Gate became notable for its extended operating hours—74 hours per week including evenings and weekends—far beyond the typical 40-hour schedule of competitors. The agency expanded throughout London, initially offering new branches zero commission for three months to attract clients before implementing commission rates higher than rivals.

The property downturn between 1988 and 1994 severely affected Foxtons. Hunt recalled:

"…Foxtons lacked a significant lettings division and consequently barely survived – we were nearly bankrupt daily."

This hardship motivated Hunt to establish a lettings department that would provide consistent revenue during market slumps.

Among Foxtons’ innovations were launching an early website in 1999 and deploying a fleet of 800 branded Minis driven by agents.

Under Hunt’s leadership, Foxtons expanded to 20 branches with over 1,600 employees across the UK and US markets, achieving £110 million in turnover and £34 million in profit. Director Magazine described it as "...London's largest and most audacious estate agency." Hunt remarked that clients expected the company to "…fight on their behalf," though some critics viewed its culture as excessively competitive. A 2006 BBC documentary accused Foxtons agents of unethical conduct; while Hunt admitted errors had been made, he felt the program was edited unfairly.

In May 2007, at the height of the UK property boom, Hunt sold Foxtons to private equity firm BC Partners for £375 million. In a 2010 interview he explained:

"Given the overheated market ... I believed this was an appropriate moment to exit. I’m certainly no genius."

Property investments

Following the sale of Foxtons, Hunt concentrated on substantial investments in commercial and residential properties within central London through his company Ocubis Ltd. In December 2011, Ocubis obtained planning permission for a 120,000 sq ft mixed-use redevelopment at 150 Holborn designed by Make Architects. The following year saw Ocubis refurbish Fulham Green Campus—a 120,000 sq ft site near Putney Bridge tube station—which it leased to tenants such as Emma Bridgewater, Hurtigruten, Green Fields Technology, and Sweaty Betty via agencies Savills, Frost Meadowcroft, and Hanover Green.

In May 2013, Ocubis purchased No.5 St James's Square—a Grade II* listed building formerly housing the Libyan Embassy—with plans to renovate it into approximately 15,000 sq ft of office space alongside constructing thirteen luxury apartments on an adjacent plot. By October 2015, Ocubis’ parent company reported pre-tax profits of £3 million for 2014—up from £1.6 million the year before—and expanded its workforce to 82 employees. The firm aims to command rents of £160 per sq ft at this prestigious London office location.

In 2010, Hunt established Bacchus Partners to invest in residential and retail development opportunities across South East England valued between £200,000 and £1 million. Bacchus works closely with local property experts who source deals in exchange for equity participation.

Hunt also owns real estate on Kensington Palace Gardens—London’s most exclusive street—where he is constructing an underground car museum to showcase his vintage automobile collection.

Pavilion

Hunt is the proprietor and operator of Pavilion, an exclusive business members' club located on Kensington High Street. Pavilion caters to entrepreneurs and senior executives by offering premium serviced office spaces, which The Times characterized as "...an office rental club targeted at wealthy start-ups." The venue originally launched in 2011 under the name "Dryland."

Heveningham Hall

In 1994, Hunt purchased Heveningham Hall, an expansive 5,000-acre estate in Suffolk dating back to the 18th century. This estate is renowned for hosting the annual Heveningham Hall Concours d'Elegance—a prestigious motorsport and classic car gathering—as well as a large country fair that draws over 10,000 visitors, with all proceeds supporting local charitable organizations.

The Palladian mansion, which holds a Grade I listing, was crafted by architects Sir Robert Taylor and James Wyatt, while its gardens were designed by famed landscape artist Capability Brown. The restoration project, overseen by Kim Wilkie, includes planting approximately 800,000 trees each year and expanding broadleaf woodland by up to 20 hectares annually, thereby reviving Brown’s original landscape plans from 1782 that had long been neglected.

Wilderness Reserve

Hunt established the Wilderness Reserve in 2013—a rejuvenated natural estate comprising lakes, parkland, and woodlands surrounding Heveningham Hall within Suffolk's Yox Valley along the Heritage Coast. This reserve is based on a design by the distinguished landscape architect Lancelot 'Capability' Brown (1716–1783). Hunt acquired a total of 5,000 acres, restored numerous buildings, and reintroduced a variety of wildlife species and plant life. His private home is situated adjacent to the Reserve, where several properties such as Sibton Hall are available for exclusive rental. Speaking to the Financial Times, Hunt remarked: "Farming alone won't pay for a modern estate to survive. Real estate will." In 2014, he also acquired Cockfield Hall in Yoxford, Suffolk—a Grade I listed historic residence set within 76 acres of parkland.

Personal life

Hunt is married to Lois, who previously worked as a nurse; together they have four children, including Harry Hunt. The media often depict him with the demeanor of a former military officer and describe him as "famously tight-lipped." Additionally, he is an avid collector of classic Ferrari automobiles.