George Cottrell
Cottrell in 2025
Born	George Swinfen Cottrell October 1993 (age 32) London, England
Education	Malvern College
Occupations	Political aide, financier, author
Relatives	Alexander Fermor-Hesketh (uncle-in-law) Rupert Watson (maternal grandfather)

George Swinfen Cottrell (born October 1993) is a British financier and political activist. He was convicted of felony wire fraud in the United States in 2017. He is a senior adviser, campaigner and fundraiser for Nigel Farage and leads the political consultancy Geostrategy.^[1]

Cottrell was born in 7 October 1993 in London, England. His father, Mark Cottrell, a businessman and landowner from Gloucestershire, attended Gordonstoun School with Prince Andrew.^[2] His mother, Fiona Watson, a daughter of Rupert Watson, 3rd Baron Manton (d. 2003), is a former glamour model and girlfriend of Charles III when he was Prince of Wales.^[3] His uncle-in-law Alexander Fermor-Hesketh, 3rd Baron Hesketh (who is married to his maternal aunt Claire Watson), was a senior Conservative Party politician before joining the UK Independence Party (UKIP).^[4] Cottrell was raised and educated on the island of Mustique, before attending Malvern College, from which he was expelled for illegal gambling.^[5] On 12 September 2024, it was reported that his mother had donated £500,000 to Reform UK.^[6]

Cottrell was listed as a director in a number of businesses from a young age, both in the UK and overseas. Following the 2015 UK general election, Cottrell, then known by the nickname "Posh George", was appointed deputy treasurer of UKIP.^[7]

On 22 July 2016, while attending the Republican National Convention with Farage, Cottrell was arrested by IRS Criminal Investigation special agents at Chicago O'Hare International. Cottrell was federally indicted on 21 counts for conspiracy to commit money laundering, wire fraud, blackmail, and extortion. Denied bail by a judge who branded Cottrell a "serious flight risk," he was detained in custody.^[8] Cottrell's indictment states how in 2014, he met with undercover IRS federal agents in Las Vegas, where he conspired to launder millions of dollars' worth of drug money using offshore bank accounts.^[9]

Following a plea agreement in December 2016, prosecutors agreed to dismiss 20 counts in return for a guilty plea to a single count of wire fraud in which Cottrell admitted to explaining various ways criminal proceeds could be laundered.^[7][10] In March 2017, Cottrell was sentenced and released by Judge Diane Humetewa, having served eight months in prison.^[11]

While head of fundraising for UKIP, Cottrell became the chief of staff to Nigel Farage, who was then UKIP leader.^[12][13] In May 2019, Cottrell was reportedly a fundraiser for the Brexit Party.^[14] In 2025, the press reported that Cottrell had launched an international political consultancy, Geostrategy, as an unlimited company.^[15] His book How to Launder Money: A Guide for Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, and Policymakers, authored by Cottrell and Lawrence Burke Files, was published by Biteback Publishing on 17 February 2026.^[16]

According to documents filed in the UK High Court, Cottrell was named as part of a professional betting syndicate linked to Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. owner Tony Bloom. In return for his participation, Cottrell reportedly received a share of winnings, with the syndicate allegedly earning up to $250 million.^[17][18] Cottrell reportedly made over $200 million personally by copying bets from Bloom’s syndicate, Starlizard.^[19] Cottrell was reported to be a high-stakes poker player, once losing $20 million in one night.^[20] He later won about $13 million by betting on Donald Trump's 2024 election victory.^[21]

Cottrell is a known associate of the British politician Nigel Farage and has acted as a supporter of Farage's activities. In February 2025 The Guardian newspaper stated: "Tatler reported earlier this year that Cottrell sometimes referred to Farage as 'Daddy' and that the Reform leader was 'often there, making coffee' at Cottrell's west London house."^[22] The Guardian has previously quoted Nigel Farage describing Cottrell as "like a son" to him, with Cottrell present at many campaign trail events during the 2024 UK general election as part of his unpaid role with Reform UK.^[23] The Times has reported that Cottrell handed out business cards with a Reform UK logo and Farage's email address.^[24][25]

Cottrell is reported to have supported Farage by providing social media and security staff, and also providing Farage with accommodation in his property in London.^[26][27] There is controversy as to whether these should have been reported by Farage in the Register of Members' Financial Interests, with Reform UK spokesperson Robert Jenrick stating that these were made in a "purely personal capacity".^[28] Payments by Cottrell for Farage's travel arrangements had been declared by Farage previously.^[28]

Cottrell was in a four year on/off relationship with reality star Georgia Toffolo between 2019 and 2023.^[29] During an interview with Tatler, as reported by The Guardian, Cottrell shared details of his art collection which includes works by Banksy, Canaletto, and George Stubbs.^[6]