Christopher Harborne, a British-born billionaire who lives in Thailand and is described as intensely private, has emerged as a significant financial backer of the UK political party Reform UK. Harborne, estimated to be the richest British-born billionaire on this year's Sunday Times rich list, has donated a total of £12 million to the party in 2025, making him its largest single donor.
His contributions include a £9 million donation in December, which at the time was a record from a living source to a British political party, and another £36 million, according to recent reports. Harborne, 63, who uses the Thai name Chakrit Sakunkrit, made his fortune in cryptocurrency and aviation.
Despite his significant financial support, Harborne is known for guarding his privacy closely. Details about his personal life, including marital status or children, are not publicly known, and he avoids social media. He was educated at Westminster School and Downing College, Cambridge, where he studied engineering. He previously worked for McKinsey and various corporations before establishing himself in the Far East.
Investigation into £5 Million Donation
Harborne has also been associated with an ongoing investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner concerning a £5 million donation made to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in April 2024. This donation was made before Farage was elected as a Member of Parliament and is being examined to determine if it should have been officially declared.
Nigel Farage has stated that the £5 million was a personal gift for security purposes. He has defended the party against claims that Harborne's donations imply a desire for undue influence, asserting that Harborne seeks nothing in return. Farage suggested that Harborne's motivation stems from a belief that Brexit has not been fully leveraged and that the UK needs to better engage with 21st-century technologies. In a recent interview, Farage described Harborne as an "ardent supporter deeply concerned for my safety."
Previous Political Contributions
Prior to his substantial support for Reform UK, Harborne had made donations to the Conservative Party, including a £1 million contribution to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's company after his departure from office. He had also donated to the Brexit Party.
Harborne's business interests have included companies trading in private planes and jet fuel. He became a naturalized Thai citizen in 2011. His significant wealth accumulation is largely attributed to his involvement in cryptocurrency, both as a token buyer and an investor in crypto mining. He is currently the largest individual shareholder, holding 12% of the stablecoin giant Tether, the firm behind USDT, the world's largest stablecoin. Farage has previously advocated for London to embrace cryptocurrencies and become a global trading center for such assets.