# Jeremy Coller > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jeremy_Coller > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jeremy_Coller.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Coller > Source revision: 1357230570 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|British businessman}} {{EngvarB|date=November 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} {{Infobox person | name = Jeremy Coller | image = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|05|17|df=yes}} | birth_place = London, England | death_date = | death_place = | education = [Manchester University](/source/Manchester_University)
[University of Sussex](/source/University_of_Sussex) | occupation = Businessman | known_for = Founder of [Coller Capital](/source/Coller_Capital) and the [FAIRR Initiative](/source/FAIRR) | title = | term = | successor = | boards = | spouse = | partner = | children = | parents = | relatives = | website = [https://www.jeremycollerfoundation.org Jeremy Coller Foundation] }} '''Jeremy Coller''' (born 17 May 1958) is a British businessman and [philanthropist](/source/philanthropist). He is the founder, chief investment officer and managing partner of [Coller Capital](/source/Coller_Capital).{{Cite web |title=Jeremy Coller - Chief Investment Officer & Managing Partner |url=https://www.collercapital.com/our-people/jeremy-coller/ |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=Coller Capital |language=en-US}} Coller chairs the Jeremy Coller Foundation and is a deputy chair of [Tel Aviv University](/source/Tel_Aviv_University), where he is on the advisory board of the Coller School of Management, and is the founder and primary sponsor of the annual Coller Startup Competition, helping to fund early-stage startups. Coller is known for his philanthropic work in [animal welfare](/source/animal_welfare) and for founding the [FAIRR Initiative](/source/FAIRR), an investor network addressing ESG risks in food and agriculture. In 2026, the ''Sunday Times Rich List'' estimated Coller’s wealth at £2 billion.{{Cite web |last=Seymour |first=Andrew |date=2025-05-19 |title=Nisbets founder rises up the Rich List |url=https://www.cateringinsight.com/nisbets-founder-rises-up-the-rich-list/ |access-date=2025-08-22 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Lake |first=Howard |date=2026-05-15 |title=Sir Chris Hohn tops Sunday Times Giving List after giving £1.4 billion |url=https://fundraising.co.uk/2026/05/15/sir-chris-hohn-tops-sunday-times-giving-list-after-giving-1-4-billion/ |access-date=2026-05-15 |website=UK Fundraising |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The Sunday Times Rich List 2026 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list |access-date=2026-05-15 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}} ==Early life== Coller was born in London on 17 May 1958. He attended [Carmel College](/source/Carmel_College%2C_Oxfordshire) and holds a master's degree in philosophy from the [University of Sussex](/source/University_of_Sussex) and a BSc in management sciences from [Manchester University](/source/Manchester_University). He took the Diplome Cours de Civilisation at the [Sorbonne](/source/University_of_Paris) in Paris.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/the-leech-on-a-leechs-back-vx8jphxnz0b|title=The 'leech on a leech's back'|newspaper=[The Times](/source/The_Times)|access-date=2020-02-29|language=en|issn=0140-0460}} After building a career in [private equity](/source/private_equity), Coller was awarded an honorary fellowship by [London Business School](/source/London_Business_School) in 2011 and in 2013, received an honorary doctorate from [Tel Aviv University](/source/Tel_Aviv_University).{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.thomsonreuters.com/sustainability/authors/jeremy-coller/|title=Jeremy Coller|website=Sustainability|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-29|archive-date=29 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229165348/https://blogs.thomsonreuters.com/sustainability/authors/jeremy-coller/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://english.tau.ac.il/events/tau_hon_docs_2013 |title=2013 TAU Honorary Degrees Awarded | Tel Aviv University |website=English.tau.ac.il |date=9 June 2013 |accessdate=23 July 2016}} ==Business career== Coller began his financial career in equity research at [Fidelity International](/source/Fidelity_International).{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Private equity executive fights antibiotic risks in farming {{!}} Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3bfd4e6e-fa7d-11e5-b3f6-11d5706b613b |access-date=2020-02-29 |website=www.ft.com}} He joined the ICI Pension Plan as a sector fund manager before moving into venture and buyout investment roles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euromoney.com/article/b1320r6tv6t2lm/jeremy-coller|title=Jeremy Coller|website=Euromoney|date=31 March 2003|language=en|access-date=2020-02-29}} During this period, he was an early proponent of investing in secondary positions in private equity funds. According to ''Secondaries Investor'', at ICI Coller became the first institutional investor in Dayton Carr’s VCFA fund, an early private equity [secondaries](/source/Secondary_private_equity) vehicle. In 1990, Coller founded [Coller Capital](/source/Coller_Capital), one of the earliest firms in Europe dedicated to secondary private equity investments.{{Cite web|url=https://www.privateequityinternational.com/coller-raises-biggest-ever-secondaries-fund/|title=Coller raises biggest ever secondaries fund|last=Taylor|first=James|date=2013-01-03|website=Private Equity International|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-29}} The firm has since expanded internationally and raised multiple large secondaries funds, completing transactions involving portfolios of private equity interests and corporate divestments from companies such as BT, Lucent Bell Labs, and the [UK Atomic Energy Authority](/source/United_Kingdom_Atomic_Energy_Authority).{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=P. E. I. |date=2013-01-16 |title=Coller has secondaries mega fund in sights |url=https://www.infrastructureinvestor.com/coller-has-secondaries-mega-fund-in-sights/ |access-date=2020-10-12 |website=Infrastructure Investor |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Europe's 50 Most Influential in Private Equity 2019 |url=https://www.penews.com/articles/europes-50-most-influential-in-private-equity-2019-20191204 |access-date=2020-01-21 |website=www.penews.com |language=en-GB}} In 2021, it closed its eighth core fund, ''Coller International Partners VIII'', with over $9 billion in commitments. In 2022, it raised $1.4 billion for its ''Coller Credit Opportunities I'' fund, marking the firm’s entry into credit secondaries. In 2025, the firm raised $6.8 billion for its ''Coller Credit Opportunities II'' fund.{{Cite news |last=James |first=Rod |date=2025-07-08 |title=Exclusive {{!}} Coller Raises $6.8 Billion for Credit Secondary Deals |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/coller-raises-6-8-billion-for-credit-secondary-deals-701fbacd |access-date=2025-08-26 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}} As of 2025, Coller Capital employed 272 people and operated offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, Seoul and other locations. In January 2026, Coller agreed to sell Coller Capital to Swedish private equity group EQT in a deal valued at up to $3.7 billion.{{cite web |last=Heal |first=Alexandra |last2=Gara |first2=Antoine |date=25 January 2026 |title=Jeremy Coller: the vegan activist who just inked a $3.7bn private equity deal |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4d2e7429-dc82-4fd9-8044-61921a5a28bf |website=Financial Times}} Following the transaction, the business is to be branded “Coller EQT,” with Coller continuing to lead the secondaries platform independently within EQT.{{cite web |date=22 January 2026 |title=EQT enters secondary market with $3.2 billion Coller Capital deal |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/eqt-enters-secondary-market-with-32-billion-coller-capital-deal/ |website=Reuters}} == Philanthropy == In 2026, Coller was ranked 20th in The Sunday Times Giving List, which ranks philanthropists by the proportion of their wealth donated or pledged to charitable causes.{{Cite web |last=Lake |first=Howard |date=2026-05-15 |title=Sir Chris Hohn tops Sunday Times Giving List after giving £1.4 billion |url=https://fundraising.co.uk/2026/05/15/sir-chris-hohn-tops-sunday-times-giving-list-after-giving-1-4-billion/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=UK Fundraising |language=en}} Coller is founder and chairman of the Jeremy Coller Foundation, a UK-based grant-making organisation that supports work in areas including global [food system](/source/food_system) reform, animal welfare, alternative proteins and food tech, and innovation in venture and management education.{{Cite web|url=http://www.jeremycollerfoundation.org/|title=Jeremy Coller Foundation|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-23}} In 2025 he contributed £21.7 million to the Foundation, following similar donations in earlier years.{{Cite web |title=Charity Commission - Accounts for The Jeremy Coller Foundation to year end 2025 |url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=2&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&p_p_resource_id=%2Faccounts-resource&p_p_cacheability=cacheLevelPage&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_objectiveId=A17839740&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_mvcRenderCommandName=%2Faccounts-and-annual-returns&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_organisationNumber=5066475&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_organisationNumber=5066475}} Between 2012 and 2024, he was on the advisory council of [The Elders](/source/The_Elders_(organization)), a peace and human rights organisation founded by Nelson Mandela.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theelders.org/content/jeremy-coller-ac-profile|title=Jeremy Coller AC profile|date=2018-10-23|website=The Elders|language=en|access-date=2020-02-29|archive-date=29 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229165351/https://www.theelders.org/content/jeremy-coller-ac-profile|url-status=dead}} === Interspecies communication === In 2020, the Foundation established the Coller Prize for Interspecies Conversation, a $1 million award supporting research into communication between humans and animals, including through the use of artificial intelligence. In 2025, the Foundation launched the ''Coller Dolittle Challenge'' with Tel Aviv University, offering $100,000 annual prizes and a final $10 million equity award (or $500,000 in cash) for achieving two-way interspecies communication. The Challenge draws inspiration from the Turing Test and has recognised a dolphin vocalisations project with its first annual award.{{Cite web |date=2020-07-16 |title=Coller Prize for Interspecies Conversations, Hall of Fame & Young Leaders Circle |url=https://jeremycollerfoundation.org/coller-prize-hall-of-fame-young-leaders-circle/ |access-date=2020-07-18 |website=Coller Foundation |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Davis |first=Nicola |date=2025-05-15 |title=Dolphin whistle decoders win $100,000 interspecies communication prize |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/15/us-scientists-who-deciphered-dolphin-whistles-win-prize-for-animal-communication |access-date=2025-08-01 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} In 2026, ''[The Observer](/source/The_Observer)'' described the initiative as an 'ethical moonshot', noting that Coller had compared the challenge to deciphering the [Rosetta Stone](/source/Rosetta_Stone).{{Cite web |last=Tapper |first=James |title=The prize that could make ‘talking to the animals’ a reality |url=https://observer.co.uk/news/science-technology/article/the-prize-that-could-make-talking-to-the-animals-a-reality |website=The Observer}} === ESG investing and corporate engagement === The Jeremy Coller Foundation funds research and advocacy on the consequences of [factory farming](/source/Factory_Farming) for global sustainability.{{Cite web|url=https://www.responsible-investor.com/articles/coller|title=RI Interview: Jeremy Coller, the private equity titan backing ESG to end animal factory farming|website=Responsible Investor|date=4 February 2015 |language=en|access-date=2020-02-29}} ==== FAIRR (Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return) Initiative ==== {{main|FAIRR}} In 2015, Coller founded the FAIRR Initiative (Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return), a global network of institutional investors focused on ESG risks in intensive animal agriculture. As of 2025, its members represented over $80 trillion in assets. FAIRR engages with global food companies to influence corporate practices related to antibiotic use, [climate resilience](/source/climate_resilience), animal welfare, Scope 3 emissions, and [sustainability reporting](/source/sustainability_reporting).{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/3bfd4e6e-fa7d-11e5-b3f6-11d5706b613b|title=Private equity executive fights antibiotic risks in farming|last=|first=|date=|website=www.ft.com|access-date=2020-02-29}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fairr.org/about-fairr/|title=About FAIRR|website=FAIRR|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-08-23}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-09-03|title=Climate Change Is Already Costing Meat and Dairy Producers a Lot|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-03/climate-change-is-already-costing-meat-and-dairy-producers-a-lot|access-date=2020-02-29|website=Bloomberg.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbfaw.com/|title=BBFAW {{!}} Business Benchmark - A benchmark on farm animal welfare|website=www.bbfaw.com|access-date=2019-08-23}} In 2022, Coller co-founded the Alternative Proteins Association, a UK-based trade body representing companies involved in plant-based, cultivated, and fermented proteins. The association promotes regulatory reform, industry collaboration and public policy support for alternative proteins, aiming to accelerate the transition to more sustainable food systems.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-25 |title=Tear up draft opinion that restricts plant-based dairy labels, Alliance says |url=https://proveg.org/press-release/tear-up-draft-opinion-that-restricts-plant-based-dairy-labels-alliance-says/ |access-date=2025-08-08 |website=ProVeg International |language=en-GB}} === Research, advocacy and public engagement === The Foundation funds complementary public health research, including epidemiological studies on antimicrobial resistance linked to intensive farming.{{Cite web|url=http://www.saveourantibiotics.org/|title=Alliance to save our antibiotics|website=www.saveourantibiotics.org|language=en|access-date=2019-08-23}} In 2025, the Foundation donated £4 million to create the Jeremy Coller Centre for Animal Sentience at the [London School of Economics](/source/London_School_of_Economics). It funds interdisciplinary research into animal minds, emotions, and welfare using approaches from neuroscience, philosophy, law, and behavioural science. In 2021, The Foundation launched the Coller Animal Law Forum (CALF), which tracks and analyses global farm animal legislation and provides guidance for policymakers and advocates. In 2023, Coller authored ''An Ever-Green Revolution'', a white paper outlining the unintended consequences of the “Green Revolution” including accelerating intensive animal agriculture and contributing to AMR.{{Cite web |last=Coller |first=Jeremy |date=29 June 2023 |title=An Ever Green Revolution |url=https://jeremycollerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/JCF-An-Ever-Green-Revolution-June-2023-vF.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com}} The Foundation is also the principal funder of the ''Future of Food'' exhibition at the [Science Museum, London](/source/Science_Museum%2C_London).{{Cite web |title=Major exhibition on the future of food to open at the science museum in july |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/about-us/press-office/major-exhibition-future-food-open-science-museum-july |access-date=21 August 2025}} The exhibition covers emerging food technologies and industrial agriculture’s effects on sustainability and health. === Educational initiatives === In 2008, the Foundation donated to London Business School to create the Coller Institute of Private Equity, which conducted industry research and published the ''Private Equity Findings'' digest until 2016, when publishing was taken over by Coller Capital.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/1d5e534e-96e0-11dd-8cc4-000077b07658|title=Private equity gets a lifeline for research|date=2008-10-13|website=Financial Times|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-08-23}} In 2013, as part of a $50 million donation to Tel Aviv University, the Foundation launched the Coller Institute of Venture – a programme promoting global venture ecosystems through policy research, innovation strategy, and support for university–industry commercialisation. It issued the annual ''Coller Venture Review''.{{Cite web|url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-tel-aviv-university-nabs-50m-donation-1001125496|title=Tel Aviv University nabs $50m donation - Globes|date=2016-05-18|website=en.globes.co.il|language=he|access-date=2020-02-29}} In 2016, the Foundation’s donation led to Tel Aviv University’s business school being renamed as the ''Coller School of Management''. This funding supported faculty recruitment, increased research capacity, globalisation of the student body, and established the ''Coller Startup Competition'', which awards $100,000 annually to companies innovating in alternative food systems.{{Cite web |date=2012-11-06 |title=Tel Aviv University Leadership |url=https://english.tau.ac.il/tau_leadership |access-date=2020-09-25 |website=Tel Aviv University |language=en-US}} === Global pension reform === In 2025, Coller established the Coller Pensions Institute, a non-profit think tank focused on pension policy research. The Institute examines pension system alignment with UN [Sustainable Development Goals](/source/Sustainable_Development_Goals), including issues of ageing populations, ESG investing, and pension access in emerging economies.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Maha Khan |date=2025-04-28 |title=Viewpoint: Building pension systems will help achieve UN SDGs |url=https://impact-investor.com/viewpoint-building-pension-systems-will-help-achieve-un-sdgs/ |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=Impact Investor |language=en-US}} In February 2026, the Institute published research examining pension coverage among informal and gig-economy workers globally. The report highlighted low participation rates among informal workers and argued that without structural reform, ageing populations and limited retirement savings could pose long-term economic and fiscal challenges. It set out a series of policy recommendations aimed at expanding access to retirement savings in emerging and developed economies.{{Cite web |last=Reeve |first=Nick |title=How to bring gig workers into the pension system |url=https://www.pensions-expert.com/defined-contribution/how-to-bring-gig-workers-into-the-pension-system/70029.article |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Pensions Expert |language=en}} ==Honours and awards== Coller has been included in private equity industry rankings published by ''Financial News'', ''Business Insider'', and ''Private Equity News''.{{Cite web |last=Editorial |first=P. E. N. |title=Europe's 50 Most Influential People in Private Equity |url=https://www.penews.com/articles/europes-50-most-influential-people-in-private-equity-20181210 |access-date=2019-08-23 |website=www.penews.com |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Private equity's top dealmakers, fundraisers and advisers in Europe |url=https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/private-equitys-top-dealmakers-fundraisers-and-advisers-in-europe-20201130 |access-date=2020-12-01 |website=www.fnlondon.com |language=en-GB}} Coller has been profiled extensively in specialist private-equity publications. ''Private Equity News'' has described him as “the Godfather of Secondaries”, reflecting his influence on the development of the secondaries market.{{Cite web |last=Chopra |first=Shruti Tripathi |title=Jeremy Coller’s secret to making it big in private equity |url=https://www.penews.com/articles/jeremy-collers-secret-to-making-it-big-in-private-equity-20240306 |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=www.penews.com |language=en-GB}} In 2023, the industry outlet ''SecondaryLink'' reported the results of a reader poll naming him the “GOAT of the secondary market”.{{Cite web |title=Jeremy Coller voted GOAT of the secondary market |url=https://secondarylink.com.com/news/652e921438a2e758c4e5995d/jeremy-coller-voted-goat-of-the-secondary-market |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=SecondaryLink |language=en}} In 2026, Coller was inducted into the ''Real Deals Private Equity Awards'' Hall of Fame.{{Cite web |title=Private Equity Awards 2026: Winners announced |url=https://realdeals.eu.com/article/private-equity-awards-2026-winners-announced |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=Real Deals |language=en}} In 2008, he was named Outstanding Alumnus by the University of Manchester,{{Cite web |title=Outstanding Alumni |url=https://your.manchester.ac.uk/people/outstanding-alumni/ |access-date=2020-02-29 |website=Your Manchester Online - The University of Manchester |language=en}} received an Honorary Fellowship from London Business School in 2011, and an Honorary Doctorate from [Tel Aviv University](/source/Tel_Aviv_University) in 2013 for his contributions to private equity and entrepreneurship research.{{Cite web|url=https://english.tau.ac.il/events/tau_hon_docs_2013|title=2013 TAU Honorary Degrees Awarded|website=Tel Aviv University|date=9 June 2013 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-23}} == Publications == Coller's book ''Splendidly Unreasonable Inventors: The Lives, Loves, and Deaths of 30 Pioneers Who Changed the World'' was published in 2008 by Overlook Press (ISBN 9781590202692).{{cite book |last=Coller |first=Jeremy |title=Splendidly Unreasonable Inventors: The Lives, Loves, and Deaths of 30 Pioneers Who Changed the World |date=2008 |publisher=Harry N. Abrams |isbn=9781590202692}} == References == {{Reflist|2}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Coller, Jeremy}} Category:Private equity and venture capital investors Category:British businesspeople in finance Category:Alumni of the University of Sussex Category:Alumni of the University of Manchester Category:University of Paris alumni Category:Private equity secondary market Category:Living people Category:1958 births Category:British expatriates in France Category:British expatriate businesspeople --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jeremy Coller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Coller) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Coller?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.