Tycoon's ex-wife awarded £43.5m in divorce payment

The ex-wife of a green energy tycoon has been awarded more than £40m after their divorce by a High Court judge.

Founder of Ecotricity, based in Stroud, and Forest Green Rovers FC chair Dale Vince and his ex-wife Kate Vince disputed how money should be split at a hearing in December.

Ms Vince's lawyers told the court her ex was giving away matrimonial assets, of which she should be entitled to half, including £5.4m in donations to the Labour Party.

Speaking outside court, Mr Vince said: "My ex-wife walks away from court with £12m less than I first offered her four years ago."

"Along with her legal team she has wasted years of time, not just our own but that of the court," he said.

Meanwhile, Sarah Jane Lenihan, representing Ms Vince, said: "We are very grateful to the court for the fair and equitable award granted to Ms Vince.

"It is only right that Ms Vince has received an award which reflects her extensive contributions throughout the marriage, which the judge acknowledged, during which Mr Vince built the majority of his fortune."

Mr Vince, who is also Forest Green Rovers FC chair, claimed the increase in donations to the Labour party between April 2022 and May 2024 and other spending came from a rise in the value of his businesses and had "nothing at all to do with" the legal battle.

In a judgment on Friday, Mr Justice Cusworth said Mr Vince could pay Ms Vince £43.51m in three instalments.

Mr Vince claimed they separated in 2021, but Ms Vince alleges they were "continuing a physical and emotional relationship right up to February 2022".

Lawyers for Ms Vince, 50, said her ex-husband, 63, had been giving away their matrimonial assets in a "wanton and reckless" fashion.

This included the gift to the Labour Party, as well as £100,000 to the Cheltenham Muslim Association and £8.4m to his foundation, the Green Britain Foundation, which includes support for Forest Green Rovers FC.

However, Mr Vince told the court he donated to Labour because he saw the general election as the opportunity for a government that wanted to do something about net zero.

In his 20-page ruling on Friday, Mr Justice Cusworth said: "I consider that the wife should receive 50% of the marital element of the value in the businesses, and not less."

The first payment of £13.94m will be made to Ms Vince by 30 April, with the further two to follow annually, the judge ordered.

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