The 41-year-old has enjoyed a life of luxury and high-octane passions, backed by his aristocracy links from father David, who as the Laird of Glen Affrick, owns a 10,000 acre Scottish estate near Loch Ness in Scotland. His mother, Jane, is an artist. Educated as a boarder at Uppingham School in Rutland to the tune of £33,000 ($43,000) per-year, Matthews' childhood was spent jetting between the vastly contrasting landscapes of Lincolnshire and the Caribbean, where his parents moved after the buying the luxury Eden Rock Hotel. The St Barts island property is a favourite among A-list celebrities, including Leonardo Di Caprio and Mariah Carey. When back on British soil, the lifestyle was equally as luxurious, with Matthews enjoying the freedom of Caunton Manor, an 18th century manor house on his family's 30-acre estate in Nottinghamshire. Matthews skipped university after his school exams to pursue a career as a racing driver, competing to Formula 3 level. However, when top level success eluded his grasp, Matthews moved into finance in 1995, becoming a derivatives trader for Spear, Leeds and Kellogg, before founding Eden Rock Capital Management in 2001. Based in Mayfair, the venture has made him an independent multi-millionaire. Coupled with his family earnings, The Evening Standard report that Matthews was valued at £2bn in 2016. Matthews is the elder brother to reality TV star Spencer Matthews. James, Spencer and sister Nina have endured heartbreak. The trio lost younger brother Michael while he climbed Mount Everest in 1999 aged just 22. He had become the youngest Briton to ever reach the summit peak, but became separated from his guides while descending to ground level. His body has never been found. James Matthews is the Co-Founder of ERCM LLP (Eden Rock Capital Management LLP) and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. Prior to founding Eden Rock Capital Management, Mr. Matthews established Eden Rock Securities in 2000 having left Nordic Options Ltd, where he had been a senior derivatives trader. From 1997 to June 2000, Mr. Matthews was at Nordic Options Ltd., where he assumed the role of a Senior Equity Options Trader. Mr. Matthews was employed at Spear, Leeds & Kellogg, a firm he joined in September 1995. While at the firm, he worked on the London International Financial Futures Exchange. He is a qualified trader on Eurex, OMLX and the International Securities Exchange (ISE) of New York. Mr. Matthews serves as a Member of Board of Advisors of Riker Capital, where he is a part of the advisory council.