From humble beginnings in North London to controlling prime property, metals, and tech assets, David and Simon Reuben have built a £24.7 billion fortune through strategic diversification and global investments, positioning them as the UK’s richest individuals.
David and Simon Reuben, brothers originally from Mumbai and now among the UK’s wealthiest individuals, have quietly built an estimated fortune of around £20 billion through shrewd business acumen, according to Forbes. Now ranked near the top of the UK’s richest, their journey from modest beginnings in North London to becoming titans of industry is a testament to their determination and strategic investments.
Born in Mumbai in 1941 and 1944 respectively, the Reuben brothers moved with their mother to Islington during the 1950s. They attended state schools and entered the workforce at the age of 17, with David initially working in the scrap metal industry and Simon in weaving and carpets. They gradually advanced from these early roles, with Simon ultimately acquiring England’s oldest carpet manufacturer. However, it was their continued involvement in the metals trade through Trans-World Metals—specialising in aluminium, tin, and copper—that marked their ascent to business prominence.
By the mid-1990s, the Reubens had become the world’s third-largest aluminium producers, largely due to significant investments in resource-rich Russia and Kazakhstan. Their investments in Russia’s burgeoning aluminium industry during the 1990s proved particularly lucrative. By selling most of their holdings to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s oil giant Sibneft around 2000, the brothers capitalised on the privatisation wave following the fall of the Soviet Union. This strategic move not only augmented their wealth but propelled them into the ranks of Britain’s super-rich, with combined fortunes estimated to be at least £1.3 billion by the early 2000s.
Shifting their focus from metals, the Reuben brothers turned to real estate, acquiring landmark buildings across London such as Millbank Tower, the John Lewis headquarters, and Primark’s Oxford Street store. Their property portfolio now spans office, retail, hotel, residential, and infrastructure assets in prime locations in Mayfair, Paddington, and Victoria. Industry analysis from late 2024 puts their family net worth at approximately £24.7 billion, positioning them as the UK’s richest property tycoons.
Their investments also extended into technology, exemplified by their data centre business, Global Switch, which they partially sold in stages in 2016 and 2018 to Chinese investors for estimates approaching $5.7 billion. Alongside these ventures, the Reubens have diversified into sports and luxury lifestyle assets. They hold an estimated 14–15% stake in Premier League football club Newcastle United, joining forces with the Saudi Public Investment Fund and PCP Capital Partners in a high-profile buy-out. Family involvement in the club extends to David Reuben’s son, Jamie, who serves as a director.
Outside business, the Reubens maintain a famously low media profile, reportedly residing in Monaco and London with ownership of luxury assets like the 241-foot superyacht Siren and a £19 million private jet. Their hospitality interests include exclusive clubs and hotels across Europe, such as the celebrity-frequented La Taverna Anema e Core on the Italian island of Capri, a venue that has attracted stars like Beyonce and George Clooney.
The Reuben brothers’ story exemplifies how disciplined investment and diversification across industries can convert humble origins into substantial wealth. Their path—from state-school education and scrap metal trades to controlling prime London real estate and international technology businesses—reflects a blend of entrepreneurial skill and strategic timing in capitalising on global economic shifts.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
6
Notes:
🕰️ The narrative presents a comprehensive overview of David and Simon Reuben’s wealth and business ventures. However, similar content has appeared in previous years, notably in 2016 when they topped the Sunday Times Rich List with a combined fortune of £13.1 billion. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/24/sunday-times-rich-list-simon-david-reuben-lewis-hamilton-adele?utm_source=openai)) The most recent data from Forbes, dated June 4, 2025, estimates their net worth at $13.4 billion. ([forbes.com](https://www.forbes.com/profile/simon-reuben/?utm_source=openai)) The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
🕰️ The article includes direct quotes attributed to the Reuben brothers, such as their initial ventures in the metals trade and property investments. These quotes have appeared in earlier material, indicating potential reuse. For instance, their early investments in Russia and Kazakhstan in the 1990s have been previously reported. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_and_Simon_Reuben?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
✅ The narrative originates from the Express, a reputable UK news outlet. However, the article heavily relies on information from Forbes and other established sources, which may indicate a lack of original reporting.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
✅ The claims about the Reuben brothers’ wealth and business activities are consistent with publicly available information. Their investments in Russia and Kazakhstan during the 1990s, as well as their stake in Newcastle United FC, are well-documented. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_and_Simon_Reuben?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
⚠️ The narrative largely recycles previously reported information without offering new insights or original reporting. The reliance on older data and previously used quotes indicates a lack of freshness and originality.
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