Lord Michael Hintze AM
Protection for the most fragile in society; fostering aspiration; and respect for institutions
The Centre for International Security Studies and Michael Hintze Chair at the University of Sydney were established after a generous donation from leading Australian business figure and philanthropist, Lord Michael Hintze AM.
An esteemed alumnus of the University of Sydney and St John’s College, within the University of Sydney, Lord Hintze holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Pure Mathematics (1975) and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (1977). His academic journey includes a Master of Science in Acoustics from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and a Master of Business from Harvard Business School. He also received honorary degrees ‘honoris causa’ from UNSW (Doctor of Business) and the University of Sydney (Doctor of Engineering) in recognition of his significant contributions as a philanthropist, and his international success as an investor, businessman and hedge fund manager.
As Founder and CEO of Deltroit Asset Management, and previously as the Group Executive Chairman, Senior Investment Officer, and Founder of CQS—a global multi-strategy asset management firm—he has been a driving force in the financial sector. His early career in the Australian Army, where he rose to the rank of Captain in the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, shaped his leadership ethos and global perspective.
A dedicated philanthropist, Lord Hintze and his wife, Lady Hintze, established the Hintze Family Charitable Foundation in 2005, which has supported over 200 causes across education, health, the armed services, culture, and the arts. His enduring legacy at St John’s College includes serving as Patron of its 150th Anniversary Capital Appeal and enabling the development of the Michael Hintze Residential Wing, opened in 2010.
His generosity to the University of Sydney also includes a major contribution to the Charles Perkins Centre. The Michael Hintze Incubator and Innovation Fund was established to drive innovative, multidisciplinary research in health and commercialisation, supporting advancements such as stem cell therapies and the development of Elastagen, a biotechnology success story. He has also generously donated to support the building of the Hintze Wing at St John’s College.
His distinguished honours include being made a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Gregory in 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI and subsequent elevation from the rank of Knight Commander to Knight Grand Cross. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2008 and awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II for his philanthropic services to the arts. In 2022 he was granted a life peerage by King Charles III and sits in the House of Lords as Baron Hintze, joining a short list of Australians included in the Upper House of the United Kingdom parliament.