About Hamish Ogston

Hamish Ogston CBE is an entrepreneur who co-founded a number of businesses, including Europe’s first retail loyalty reward scheme, an incentive & motivational award programme, a museum operating company, a tour operator & event management company and an international marketing services company.

He is an active philanthropist, supporting a range of initiatives related to health, heritage and music in and outside of the UK. Hamish was awarded his CBE in 2011 for services to business and the community in York.

Restoration of the Great East Window at York Minster.

Philanthropy

Philanthropy has long been an important part of Hamish’s life: over the past decade, Hamish has donated over £8.5 million and pledged an additional £2 million.

Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph in 2006 Hamish revealed, “My view, which has been made very clear to my three children, is that they will get virtually nothing when I die. I’m a firm believer in them having a leg-up in the form of reasonable parenting, education and possibly a few thousand pounds, but nothing much more than that. I have already made very substantial commitments to charities to which I can make a positive contribution in terms of my time.”

In 2008 Hamish re-iterated this, announcing on BBC’s The One Show that he would not be leaving his children a sizeable inheritance saying, “I don’t really believe in creating a dynasty”.

Personal projects include: Great East Window, York Minster; Cranleigh School Organ; Liverpool Cathedral Grand Organ Appeal; The Ogston Buildings including the Ogston Music School.

Future philanthropic activity is being conducted by the Hamish Ogston Foundation.

Business

Hamish Ogston has had an extensive business career spanning four decades and six start-ups. He is a serial entrepreneur, who has always pursued his vision with determination and persistence. View Hamish’s profile on LinkedIn for more details.

In 1980 Ogston founded Card Protection Plan Ltd., which successfully grew into what became the CPP Group. The defining success of Hamish’s career to date, the business was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2010 and reached a valuation of more than £530m. The success of this business was hard won and a result of Hamish’s determination – it took 13 years to make a positive return on invested capital. CPP grew into a company operating in 16 countries with over twelve million customers, 200 business partners and 2,200 employees.

Hamish has been a co-founder of a number of other innovative business ventures, including Countdown, one of the first retail loyalty rewards schemes which was founded in 1970, and the Guinness World Records Museum, which opened in the London Trocadero in 1979. In addition, he launched Sportsworld Group plc, a specialist hospitality, travel and event services company responsible for delivering sporting and cultural occasions such as the Olympic Games and Football World Cups.

CPP, York.

The Ogston Deemsters at a celebratory evensong on 7th July 2014.

Other Interests

Beyond business, philanthropy and the arts, Hamish pursues an eclectic range of interests, including vintage cars and hot air ballooning.

Hamish is the proud owner of the only remaining Ogston Deemsters, which he actively maintains and races. These cars were produced by the Ogston Motor Company between 1912 and 1924 and only hundreds were made. The cars made an appearance at Liverpool Cathedral in 2014, where they were a centrepiece of a special service to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the consecration of the cathedral.

The Deemsters often appear along with Hamish’s hot air balloon and while the opportunity to fly does not come around often, he enjoys the occasion.