Computacenter co-founder becomes one of Reform UK’s top donors 

The co-founder of Computacenter has joined the ranks of the top doners for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, having given the party over £100,000. 

Philip Hulme, who launched the FTSE 250 constituent computing company in 1981, has been a regular donor to the fledgling right wing party, according to newly revealed data from the Electoral Commission. 

As of 10 December 2024, 76-year-old Hulme was recorded as donating to Reform UK on several separate occasions worth £25,000 each, the most recent being three days before the general election in July. 

Hertfordshire-based Computacenter provides tech infrastructure and IT strategy services. The group listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1999 and is worth almost $3bn. 

In September, Computacenter reported revenue of £3.1bn for the first six months of the year, an 11.6% decline. Hulme resigned as a director of the company in 2012. 

In 2023, the Evening Standard reported Hulme’s net worth to be around £583.1m. 

Reform’s list of donors also includes Southampton-based eco-friendly waste management firm Hepburn Biocare, which donated £70,000 to the party. 

Reform’s supporters may not typically be tech executives, however, reports last week claimed the party was to receive as much as $100m in a funding boost from Tesla boss Elon Musk who, like Farage, has cosied up to incoming US president Donald Trump. 

The prospect of a mega-rich Reform UK may not come to fruition, however, with Musk and Farage both denying the story. 

Musk has shown support for Reform, however, suggesting on social media that it may win the next general election. 

The X owner denied the $100m figure, however, has left the door open for future donations. Farage has confirmed he has spoken with Musk, though has not indicated any financial support has come his way. 

Tech execs in the UK are seldom outspoken about their political affiliations. But Labour has also courted the support of a number, including appointing former Darktrace boss Poppy Gustafsson as investment minister and attracting more than £5m in donations from green energy tycoon Dale Vince.

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