Julian Hodge
Sir Julian Hodge | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Camberwell, London, England |
| Died | July 17, 2004 (aged 99) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, banker |
| Known for | Founder of Bank of Wales and Julian Hodge Bank |
Sir Julian Stephen Alfred Hodge (15 October 1904 – 17 July 2004) was an entrepreneur and banker originally from London who made Wales his home from the age of five.
Background and early life
Hodge was born in Camberwell, located in south London, to a father who worked as an electrician and an Irish mother. When he was four years old, his family relocated to Pontllanfraith in the South Wales Valleys. He left formal education at the age of 13 after attending Lewis School Pengam, thereafter continuing his education independently, a path encouraged by his mother. His initial employment included roles as a chemist’s assistant and a junior clerk with the Great Western Railway beginning in 1920. By 1930, he had earned his qualification as a corporate accountant and proceeded to establish his own accounting firm four years later. In 1951, he married Moira Thomas, and together they had three children.
Hodge aspired to create a Welsh national bank, initially developing enterprises in insurance and lending sectors. In 1961, he took the Hodge Group public and went on to found the Bank of Wales—originally called the Commercial Bank of Wales—in 1972. Subsequently, he also launched the Julian Hodge Bank headquartered in Cardiff. That same year, he purchased Ty Gwyn, a distinguished residence situated in Lisvane, Cardiff.
He established the Jane Hodge foundation, named in honour of his mother, which supported charitable initiatives frequently by matching contributions from the public.
Later in life, Hodge lived as a tax exile on Jersey and played a financial role in backing the "No" campaign during the 1997 Welsh devolution referendum, with his son Robert serving as chairman of that campaign.
In 2004, his wealth was estimated at £48 million by the Sunday Times Rich List, ranking him as the 18th wealthiest individual in Wales and the oldest person within Britain’s top 1,000 richest.
He passed away at his residence in Jersey shortly before reaching his centenary. His testament provided funding for the Sir Julian Hodge Memorial Organ at St Peter's Church, Roath, Cardiff.