David Harding

David Harding founded his hedge fund firm, Winton Group, in 1997 with less than $2 million.

The London-based company, whose moniker is taken from Harding's middle name, now manages nearly $20 billion and employs some 200 people.

Harding, who studied theoretical physics, uses a scientific approach when investing, including quantitative models to pick stocks.

Harding previously cofounded a managed futures firm that he and his partners sold to hedge fund The Man Group in 1994 for a reported $60 million.

His David and Claudia Harding Foundation is known for supporting academics and science. It gave about $125 million to Cambridge University in 2019.