Name Julian Hodge | ||
Sir Julian Stephen Alfred Hodge (15 October 1904 – 17 July 2004) was a London-born entrepreneur and banker who lived in Wales for most of his life, from the age of five. He formed the Bank of Wales (originally known as the Commercial Bank of Wales), and later the Julian Hodge Bank in Cardiff.
Background and beginnings
As the son of a plumber, he came from humble beginnings. At the age of five he moved with his family to Pontllanfraith, in the South Wales Valleys and within the South Wales coalfield. He left school from the Lewis School Pengam at age 13 but his mother encouraged him to read classic novels and recite poetry to further his education. His first job was as an assistant in a chemist's shop. He joined the Great Western Railway as a junior clerk in 1920 and studied accountancy in his spare time, qualifying as a corporate accountant in 1930. He went into business for himself as an accountant in 1934. Married to Moira Thomas in 1951, he had 3 children; Jane, Robert and Jonathan Hodge.
In the 2004 Sunday Times rich list his fortune was estimated at £48 Million, making him the 18th richest person in Wales, and the oldest of Britain's 1,000 richest people.
He died at his home on Jersey, 3 months short of his 100th birthday.