LONDON (Realist English). British hedge fund billionaire Chris Rokos is planning to leave the United Kingdom and relocate to Greece, changing his tax residency. The 55‑year‑old founder of Rokos Capital Management, which oversees more than $22 billion in assets, has joined a growing wave of super‑wealthy citizens departing the UK amid the Labour government’s tax policies.
Rokos’s move will be another blow to London’s prestige as a global financial centre.
The “King of Macro” Leaves London
Chris Rokos is one of the most prominent figures in the hedge fund world. He began his career as a co‑founder of Brevan Howard Asset Management in 2002, before founding his own firm, Rokos Capital Management, in 2015.
Today, his fund ranks among the world’s largest macro hedge funds, managing approximately $22 billion in assets. The firm’s headquarters are in London’s Mayfair, and Rokos has been a long‑time resident of the British capital.
In 2025, Rokos’s fund delivered an impressive return of about 21%. The founder paid himself nearly £477 million over the year — his largest payout since 2021, when he received £509 million. According to the Sunday Times, Rokos’s net worth is estimated at £3 billion.
News of his relocation emerged on September 7, citing informed sources. Rokos plans to switch his tax residency from the UK to Greece. Rokos Capital Management has already received regulatory approval in Abu Dhabi, and its Chief Financial Officer, Chris Irish, is moving from London to the UAE.
The Billionaire Exodus: Taxes and Politics
Rokos’s decision fits a broader trend: British millionaires and billionaires are leaving the country amid the Labour government’s tax policies. The number of British millionaires has fallen to its lowest level in nearly two decades. As early as November 2025, the UK Business Secretary acknowledged concern over the departure of billionaires, entrepreneurs and even doctors due to Rachel Reeves’s budget.
Among those who have already left or are planning to leave the UK:
- Alan Howard — co‑founder of Brevan Howard, moved to Switzerland
- Lakshmi Mittal — steel magnate, decided to leave the UK
- Nassef Sawiris — Egyptian billionaire, closed the London office of his family investment fund
- Nick Storonsky — co‑founder of Revolut, moved to the UAE
- Kurt Björklund — Permira partner, moved to Switzerland
- John Fredriksen — shipping magnate
According to Fortune, high taxes under the Labour government and persistent inflation are cited as the main reasons.
In March 2024, the previous Conservative government abolished the long‑standing non‑dom regime, which allowed foreign citizens to avoid paying UK tax on overseas income. This was followed by further increases in capital gains tax.
What Is Non‑Dom and Why It Matters
| Parameter | Description |
| Non‑dom regime (pre‑2024) | Foreign nationals in the UK did not pay tax on income earned outside the country unless the money was brought into the UK economy |
| Abolition of non‑dom | March 2024 — the Conservative government abolished the regime |
| Capital gains tax hike | Labour tightened the rules, raising rates |
| Inheritance tax | Stricter rules for wealthy individuals |
It is the abolition of non‑dom, along with stricter inheritance and capital gains tax rules, that is cited as the primary driver of the super‑rich exodus.
Rokos’s Tax Profile
Chris Rokos has a long and complex history with UK tax authorities. In 2020, he sued Deloitte and a law firm for $72 million over a tax dispute: a plan to reduce his taxable income by £98.6 million was rejected by HMRC.
In 2023, Rokos and Deloitte settled a tax dispute over a £40 million bill. In February 2026, it was reported that Rokos had paid £330 million in taxes.
A Blow to London’s Status
Rokos’s departure is the latest in a series of high‑profile exits that are eroding London’s standing as a global financial hub. The abolition of non‑dom and the Labour government’s broader fiscal agenda have created a tax environment that the super‑wealthy increasingly view as hostile.
Yet questions remain. Will Rokos’s move affect the day‑to‑day operations of Rokos Capital Management in London, where more than 200 staff are based? Is Greece set to become a new centre of attraction for British hedge funds, or is Rokos’s choice driven by personal preference? And can the British government reverse the trend of super‑wealthy outflows that even officials have publicly acknowledged?
For now, the exodus continues — and with it, the erosion of a tax base that once made London one of the world’s most attractive destinations for global capital. The answers will emerge in the coming months, as the wave of relocations either gathers pace or subsides.
