Nigel Wilson (businessman)

Wilson earned a degree in economics from the University of Essex[1] and a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[1]

He has been CEO of Legal & General Group since 30 June 2012, having joined as group chief financial officer on 1 September 2009.[2]

He was knighted in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to the finance industry and regional development.[3]

In September 2022, Wilson turned down the position as Minister for Investment in the British government.[4]

During his period as CEO of Legal & General, Wilson has often been quoted in the media on a range of subjects, usually commenting on government policies which he perceives to be anti-business. His frequently outspoken views led The Sunday Times to describe him as ‘Marmite’.[5] Controversial opinions expressed by Wilson have included several attempts to encourage the government to allow developers to build housing on Green Belt land.[6][7] He has also been an outspoken critic of government environmental policy, commenting in relation to wind farms that ‘The government is deluding itself that it is saving the world with these ugly modern windmills’.[8] Wilson went on to claim that Legal & General, one of the UK’s largest investors, ‘would not put a single penny into wind farms’ (although several years later Legal & General did in fact invest circa £700m in large windfarm developments at Walney and Hornsea[9]).

Wilson has made a number of outspoken political interventions, being described as ‘one of the highest profile supporters of Brexit in the Square Mile’.[10][11] He also spoke in favour of Liz Truss’ controversial plans for widespread tax-cuts,[12] plans which later played a major part in Truss's ill-fated mini-budget.

Wilson has five daughters.[13] He has won several national masters athletics championships.[13]