GB News co-owner’s £28m church donations questioned by Christian leaders
9 reported2 unconfirmed
Christian leaders have raised concerns about £28m in donations from GB News co-owner Sir Paul Marshall to Church of England institutions that support climate action, according to a Guardian analysis of Charity Commission filings. Marshall, a hedge fund manager and Christian who recently said the UK had been infected by “climate derangement syndrome,” gave at least £13m to Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) church and the Church Revitalisation Trust (CRT) between 2018 and 2025. Rev Dr Darrell Hannah, chair of Operation Noah, said Marshall’s views are “in direct opposition” to the Church of England’s stance on the climate crisis. A spokesperson for Marshall stated he generally agrees with Christian teaching on the environment but does not subscribe to net zero by 2050 due to its impact on poor people. The Church of England, HTB, and CRT did not respond to questions from the Guardian.
What’s reported
Sir Paul Marshall donated £28m to Church of England institutions via his Sequoia Trust, according to Guardian analysis of Charity Commission filings.
At least £13m went to Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) church and the Church Revitalisation Trust (CRT) between 2018 and 2025.
Marshall is a director of CRT and has been a member of HTB’s congregation since 1997.
Marshall said the UK had been infected by “climate derangement syndrome” and that efforts to cut emissions were “impoverishing people.”
Rev Dr Darrell Hannah of Operation Noah said Marshall’s views are “in direct opposition” to the Church of England.
The Church of England has a routemap to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030 and has divested from fossil fuels.
GB News broadcast 953 attacks on climate science and climate action around the 2024 general election, according to a report.
Marshall’s spokesperson said he prefers to allow human innovation to adapt to and limit climate change.
In March, more than 120 church leaders, including former archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, criticized Marshall over his climate views and GB News’s attacks on climate science.
Open questions
How much of the £10.2m given to faith-based institutions in the 2024-25 Sequoia Trust accounts went to HTB and CRT, as the trust no longer names recipients.
Whether Marshall’s donations could influence the church institutions’ attitudes toward the climate crisis, as some critics fear.
Key figures
Sir Paul Marshall: co-owner of GB News, hedge fund manager, Christian, chair of Sequoia Trust
Rev Dr Darrell Hannah: chair of Operation Noah
Rowan Williams: former archbishop of Canterbury
Sources: The Guardian
