The billionaire appointed as Reform UK's new treasurer

Property tycoon and celebrity husband Nick Candy says he'll raise record funds for the right-wing outfit

- Alex Ross

It’s a coup that could further rock the landscape of British politics. Reform UK’s leader Nigel Farage has secured the support of billionaire property tycoon Nick Candy, who has left the Conservatives to become the new treasurer of Farage’s party.

Candy is the latest high-profile Tory member to defect to Reform UK, after former MP Andrea Jenkyns joined Reform last month to become the party’s mayoral candidate for Lincolnshire. Conservative Home founder Tim Montgomerie also switched last week as the party tasted a surge in the polls following Keir Starmer’s “reset” speech.

Alongside his role as treasurer, Candy, who is married to Australian singer and actor Holly Valance, brings heavy financial backing. Speaking to The Independent, he bullishly claimed he will raise more money for Reform UK than any political party in the UK has ever raised, adding that he believes Farage will win the next general election.

But who is Candy, how did he make his money, and what do we know about the well-connected businessman? The Independent takes a look.

Who is Nick Candy?

Candy, 51, was born to a Greek Cypriot mother and an English father in London. He went to independent school Epsom College and later graduated from the University of Reading with a degree in human geography.