Difference between revisions of "Reuben Brothers"

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{{short description|'''British family investment group of the brothers David and Simon Reuben'''}}
 
{{Template:Mining and Metals badge}}
 
{{Template:Mining and Metals badge}}
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Billionaire brothers [[David Reuben| David]] and [[Simon Reuben]] made a fortune in the aluminium business in Russia in the 1990s, and are now among the UK's largest property investors.<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2004/07/12/375898/index.htm David and Simon Reuben: Update and Clarification], Fortune, 12 June 2004.</ref>
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{{Infobox company
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| name          = Reuben Brothers
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| logo          = Reuben Brothers logo.png
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| image_size    = 250px
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| type          = Private family investment group; UK holding company [[Reuben Brothers Limited]] (company 04406970)
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| founder      = [[David Reuben]] and [[Simon Reuben]]
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| hq_location  = 4th Floor Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London SW1P 4QP (registered office of the UK group companies)
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| industry      = Property investment, private equity and lending
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| homepage      = [https://www.reubenbrothers.com reubenbrothers.com]
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}}
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Billionaire brothers [[David Reuben| David]] and [[Simon Reuben]] made a fortune in the aluminium business in Russia in the 1990s, and are now among the UK's largest property investors.<ref name="Fortune2004">[http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2004/07/12/375898/index.htm David and Simon Reuben: Update and Clarification], Fortune, 12 July 2004. Archived copy: [http://web.archive.org/web/20250327010016/https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2004/07/12/375898/index.htm Wayback Machine], capture of 27 March 2025, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
  
 
The brothers 'started out importing carpets and buying real estate'. They 'moved to the UK as teenagers after growing up in Bombay' and 'are ranked as the eighth richest people in Britain according to ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' with a fortune estimated at £7 billion.'<ref>SWNS Reporter [http://swns.com/news/reuben-brothers-turn-run-down-mansion-piccadilly-uks-expensive-home-worth-200million-26364/ Reuben brothers to turn run-down mansion in Piccadilly into UK’s most expensive home… worth £200million] ''SWNS.com'' October 22, 2012. Accessed 14 August 2014.</ref>
 
The brothers 'started out importing carpets and buying real estate'. They 'moved to the UK as teenagers after growing up in Bombay' and 'are ranked as the eighth richest people in Britain according to ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' with a fortune estimated at £7 billion.'<ref>SWNS Reporter [http://swns.com/news/reuben-brothers-turn-run-down-mansion-piccadilly-uks-expensive-home-worth-200million-26364/ Reuben brothers to turn run-down mansion in Piccadilly into UK’s most expensive home… worth £200million] ''SWNS.com'' October 22, 2012. Accessed 14 August 2014.</ref>
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The group's UK holding company, [[Reuben Brothers Limited]], was incorporated on 30 March 2002.<ref name="CH04406970">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04406970 REUBEN BROTHERS LIMITED (04406970): company overview] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> It shares its registered office at Millbank Tower in London with other companies in the group, including [[Motcomb Estates]], [[Trans-World Group Limited]] and [[Investors in Private Capital]].<ref name="CH02373675">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02373675 MOTCOMB ESTATES LIMITED (02373675): company overview] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref><ref name="CH05204672">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/05204672 INVESTORS IN PRIVATE CAPITAL LIMITED (05204672): company overview] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> According to ''[[BBC News]]'', the 2026 ''[[The Sunday Times|Sunday Times]]'' Rich List placed "David and Simon Reuben and family" second, with £27.9bn.<ref name="BBCRich2026">Zahra Fatima, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8p4ywypx8o Rich List: Beckhams become billionaires as Oasis appear for first time] ''BBC News'', 15 May 2026, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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The family's giving goes through the [[Reuben Foundation]], whose £80m gift to the [[University of Oxford]] in 2020 led to the naming of [[Reuben College]].<ref name="Oxford2020">[[University of Oxford]], [https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-06-11-reuben-foundation-donates-80-million-first-new-oxford-college-30-years Reuben Foundation donates £80 million for first new Oxford college in 30 years] ''ox.ac.uk'', 11 June 2020, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> The brothers have held a minority stake in [[Newcastle United Football Club]] since October 2021.<ref name="RBTimeline">Reuben Brothers, [https://www.reubenbrothers.com/timeline/ Timeline] ''reubenbrothers.com'', accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> After the club's July 2024 ownership change, the family company [[RB Sports & Media]] held about 15%.<ref name="NUFC2024">Newcastle United Football Club, [https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/newcastle-united-announces-agreement-to-change-its-ownership-structure Newcastle United announces agreement to change its ownership structure] ''newcastleunited.com'', 12 July 2024, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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==Russia==
 
==Russia==
 
In 1992, the Reuben brothers and their trusted aide, [[Alan Bekhor]], set up an office in Moscow in order to ensure a continued supply of Russian aluminium to their trading firm, [[Trans-World Metals]].
 
In 1992, the Reuben brothers and their trusted aide, [[Alan Bekhor]], set up an office in Moscow in order to ensure a continued supply of Russian aluminium to their trading firm, [[Trans-World Metals]].
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In July 2008, it emerged that the brothers had donated £186,000 to the Conservatives through six different companies:
 
In July 2008, it emerged that the brothers had donated £186,000 to the Conservatives through six different companies:
 
::The donations are: £36,000 from [[Motcomb Estates]] last October; £50,000 from [[Investors in Private Capital]] in January; £25,000 apiece from [[Kirkglade]] and [[Wellesley Capital Investment]] in January; and £25,000 from [[Wellington Pub Company]] and [[Criterion Asset Management]] in March.<ref>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4cc2e73c-5dc2-11dd-8129-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1 Reuben brothers give Tories nearly £200,000], by Jim Pickard, FT.com, 30 July 2008.</ref>  
 
::The donations are: £36,000 from [[Motcomb Estates]] last October; £50,000 from [[Investors in Private Capital]] in January; £25,000 apiece from [[Kirkglade]] and [[Wellesley Capital Investment]] in January; and £25,000 from [[Wellington Pub Company]] and [[Criterion Asset Management]] in March.<ref>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4cc2e73c-5dc2-11dd-8129-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1 Reuben brothers give Tories nearly £200,000], by Jim Pickard, FT.com, 30 July 2008.</ref>  
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==Background and Trans-World==
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Sources differ on the family's origins. ''[[The Guardian]]'' in 2004 said the brothers "were born in Bombay to Jewish parents of Iranian descent", moved to London as teenagers and were raised by their mother and grandmother.<ref name="Guardian2004">James Robinson, [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2004/jun/27/russia Pack up your roubles ...] ''[[The Guardian]]'', 27 June 2004, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> ''Property Week'' in 2004 called them "sons of Iraqi Jews who had moved to India".<ref name="PW2004">Helen Thomas, "Reuben Revealed", ''Property Week'', 23 April 2004, reproduced as [https://www.reubenbrothers.com/reuben-revealed/ Reuben Revealed] ''reubenbrothers.com'', accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> ''The Guardian'' in 2021 said they were "born in Mumbai to Iraqi Jewish parents with an extensive business empire in Baghdad and India" and moved to Britain with their mother in the 1950s.<ref name="Guardian2021">Louise Taylor, [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/08/newcastle-takeover-guide-to-the-new-key-figures-yasir-al-ruayyan-amanda-staveley-reuben-brothers Newcastle takeover: a guide to the new key figures at St James' Park] ''[[The Guardian]]'', 8 October 2021, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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The 2004 ''Guardian'' profile gives these early careers:<ref name="Guardian2004" />
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* [[David Reuben]] joined [[Mount Star Metals]] in 1958 and [[Trans-Continental]] in 1974, then formed Trans-World in 1977.
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* [[Simon Reuben]] began importing carpets in 1962 and bought [[J Holdsworth]] in 1965. He formed the property company [[Devereux]], sold it to [[Bovis]] in 1972, and went on to manage [[Trans-World Metals|Trans-World]]'s investments.
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The same article says the brothers opened a Russian office in 1991 with [[Lev Tchernoi|Lev Chernoy]]. It reports that, according to the company, by 1995 Trans-World had a turnover of close to £4bn and accounted for 5 per cent of the world's aluminium production. In 2000 the brothers sold the aluminium interests to [[Sibneft]] for £300m.<ref name="Guardian2004" /> A 1998 [[World Bank]] report claimed that Trans-World was founded with $2m borrowed from [[Marc Rich]]; the brothers confirmed business dealings with Rich but denied that he funded the company.<ref name="Guardian2004" />
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''Fortune'' later published an "update and clarification" on the brothers. It reported that:<ref name="Fortune2004" />
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* in December 2000 [[Kroll WorldWide Associates Inc.|Kroll Associates]], which the brothers had hired, issued a report on six of their metal-trading companies; it found "no evidence of money laundering, or any other illegal activity";
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* in August 2001 the Düsseldorf prosecutor's office told the brothers it had ended its money-laundering inquiry;
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* the libel claim that the brothers and Trans World brought in June 2001 against the writer [[Richard Behar]] and [[Time Inc.]] had been "resolved on amicable terms".
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The same piece notes that the Kroll report did not cover the company's relationship with Lev and Michael Chernoy.
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==Business since 2000==
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''Property Week'' reported in 2004 that [[Motcomb Estates]] was set up in 1991 to handle the Reubens' property interests. Its staff then included:<ref name="PW2004" />
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* [[Malcolm Robin Turner|Robin Turner]], who had worked with the brothers since 1965;
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* [[David Leon Baker|David Baker]];
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* [[Michael David Gubbay|Michael Gubbay]];
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* [[Anne Benjamin]].
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The magazine quoted the remark that "there's only one decision-maker at Motcomb and that's Simon Reuben".<ref name="PW2004" />
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The group's own timeline lists these acquisitions and disposals:<ref name="RBTimeline" />
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{| class="wikitable"
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! Date !! Event
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|-
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| May 2003 || Financing of a 50.4% stake in [[Ermewa]], a rail freight business based in Switzerland
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|-
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| March 2004 || £500m portfolio of 220 pubs, bought with partners and leased back to [[Spirit Pub Company|Spirit]]
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|-
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| May 2004 || 35% stake in the buyout of [[Chelsfield]]
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|-
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| August 2004 || [[Wellington Pub Company]], about 840 pubs, from [[Sun Capital]] and [[Hugh Osmond]]
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|-
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| January 2006 || Control of the data centre company [[Global Switch]], after buying out [[Multiplex]]'s interest
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|-
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| June 2006 || 50% of Stratford City sold for £110m
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|-
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| September 2006 || €1bn property joint venture with [[Deutsche Bank]]
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|-
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| April 2007 || [[Northern Racing]], for about £90m
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|-
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| May 2007 || 100% of [[Global Switch]]
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|-
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| July 2007 || [[London Oxford Airport|Oxford Airport]]; full ownership followed in July 2008 after the purchase of [[Dawnay Day]]'s 50%
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|-
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| April 2009 || Stake in [[Arena Leisure]] above 26%
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|-
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| April 2010 || Stake in [[Metro Bank]]
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|-
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| February 2011 || Remaining 50% of four joint ventures with [[Brookfield]]
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|-
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| June 2011 || The Piccadilly Estate in London
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|-
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| February 2012 || [[London Heliport]]
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|-
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| March 2012 || [[Arena Leisure]]
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|-
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| August 2012 || [[Arena Racing Company]] formed by merging Arena Leisure and Northern Racing
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|-
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| December 2014 || [[Metro International Trade Services]], bought from [[Goldman Sachs]]
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|-
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| December 2016 || 49% of [[Global Switch]] sold
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|-
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| May 2018 || [[Burlington Arcade]]
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|-
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| July 2018 || 24.99% of Global Switch sold for £2.1bn
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|-
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| February 2019 || Investment in hiSky, which the timeline describes as an Israeli company
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|-
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| August 2019 || 24.01% of Global Switch sold to [[Jiangsu Shagang]], at a valuation of £1.8bn
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|-
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| October 2021 || Stake in [[Newcastle United Football Club]]
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|-
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| March 2022 || [[Avery Healthcare]]
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|-
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| June 2022 || [[Admiralty Arch]]
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|-
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| September 2024 || Airbus Helicopters headquarters at London Oxford Airport completed
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|}
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''Property Week'' reported in December 2002 that [[Motcomb Estates]] had paid £115m for [[Millbank Tower]], buying it from [[Tishman Speyer]].<ref name="PW2002">Editor, [https://www.propertyweek.com/news/motcomb-buys-up-millbank-tower Motcomb buys up Millbank Tower] ''Property Week'', 6 December 2002, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> Its 2004 profile gave the price as £120m.<ref name="PW2004" />
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In March 2003 the ''[[Jewish Chronicle]]'' reported that the brothers had launched a website about their business, "breaking with their reclusive past". It put their fortune at an estimated £2.1 billion, made from "a highly successful metals and real estate business", and said: "Their property portfolio includes Millbank Tower and has an estimated value of more than £1 billion — exceeding that of publicly quoted Canary Wharf Group." It quoted [[Philip Beresford]], compiler of the ''Sunday Times'' Rich List, as saying that the Reubens "are now top players in the London property market, recycling their Russian profits".<ref name="JC2003Levitt">Lee Levitt, "Brothers go public over their successes", ''Jewish Chronicle'', 28 March 2003, p. 10.</ref> The Irish ''[[Sunday Tribune]]'' reported in the same week that "over the past few years the Reuben brothers, now in their 60s, have built up a £1.5bn UK commercial property portfolio, including London's Millbank, which once housed the headquarters of the Labour Party."<ref name="ST2003Coffey">Aine Coffey, "Russian aluminium czars set to hit the UK acquisition trail", ''Sunday Tribune'', 30 March 2003, p. 27.</ref>
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In August 2003 the ''Jewish Chronicle'' reported that the brothers were in talks to back [[Elliott Bernerd]]'s £880m management buyout of Chelsfield. A spokesman said: "They have been friends for many, many years and, as you would expect, there have been discussions about it. But there is nothing formal at the moment." The paper also reported that the Reubens had invested between £10m and £20m in a property consortium led by [[Tom Hunter]], and described the brothers' portfolio as one that "includes the former Labour Party HQ Millbank Tower and is thought to be worth more than £1 billion."<ref name="JC2003Scodie">Mark Scodie, "Reuben brothers in talks to back Bernerd buyout", ''Jewish Chronicle'', 8 August 2003, p. 7.</ref> In September 2003 it reported that Bernerd had discussed the buyout with "his 'old friends,' the billionaire Reuben brothers".<ref name="JC2003Sep">Mark Scodie, "Bernerd is nearer buy-out", ''Jewish Chronicle'', 12 September 2003, p. 12.</ref> In October 2004 it reported that the Reubens and Bernerd were said to have clashed "over management style", and that [[Westfield]] had bid for Chelsfield.<ref name="JC2004Oct8">Mark Scodie, "Westfield shops for Chelsfield", ''Jewish Chronicle'', 8 October 2004, p. 7.</ref> Two weeks later it reported that Bernerd had agreed to sell Chelsfield for £585m to a joint offer from Westfield, Multiplex and the Reubens, and that the Reubens and Multiplex "will jointly run the remaining properties".<ref name="JC2004Oct22">Mark Scodie, "Bernerd agrees Chelsfield sale", ''Jewish Chronicle'', 22 October 2004, p. 10.</ref>
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In 2012 [[Aldersgate Investments]] bid for [[Arena Leisure]] at 44.25p a share, valuing the company at about £167m.<ref name="RNS2012">Aldersgate Investments Limited, [https://shareprices.com/rns/offer-by-aldersgate-investments-limited-b44ce2s6axl1arl/ Offer by Aldersgate Investments Limited] RNS announcement, 13 January 2012, reproduced by ''shareprices.com'', accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> The [[Office of Fair Trading]] described Aldersgate as a British Virgin Islands company "wholly owned by family trusts controlled by" David and Simon Reuben, and said it already owned 29.8 per cent of Arena.<ref name="OFT2012">[[Office of Fair Trading]], [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/555de2fc40f0b666a200004e/Aldersgate-Arena.pdf Anticipated acquisition by Aldersgate Investments Limited of Arena Leisure plc, ME/5352/12] decision of 26 March 2012, published 2 April 2012, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> The bid announcement instead said that the 29.8% stake was held by [[Reuben Brothers Limited]], acting in concert with Aldersgate. It named [[Stephane Nahum]] "of Motcomb Estates Limited, representing Aldersgate", and gave [[Luther Pendragon]] as public relations adviser.<ref name="RNS2012" />
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==UK companies on the register==
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These companies are on the [[Companies House]] register. Each is connected to the family or the group as shown in the third column.
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{| class="wikitable"
 +
! Company !! Number !! Connection !! Source
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|-
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| [[Reuben Brothers Limited]] || 04406970 || Incorporated 30 March 2002; registered office 4th Floor Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, England, SW1P 4QP || <ref name="CH04406970" />
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|-
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| [[Motcomb Estates]] Limited || 02373675 || Described by ''Property Week'' as investing "on behalf of brothers Simon and David Reuben" || <ref name="CH02373675" /><ref name="PW2002" />
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|-
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| [[Trans-World Group Limited]] || 02586047 || Person with significant control: Mr Reuben David Reuben (50–75% of shares and votes) || <ref name="CH02586047PSC">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02586047/persons-with-significant-control TRANS-WORLD GROUP LIMITED (02586047): persons with significant control] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Investors in Private Capital]] Limited || 05204672 || Director James Adam Reuben, 2010–2024; [[Electoral Commission]] donor || <ref name="CH05204672" />
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|-
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| [[RB Sports & Media]] Limited || 12417560 || Person with significant control: James Adam Reuben (75–100%) || <ref name="CH12417560PSC">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12417560/persons-with-significant-control RB SPORTS & MEDIA LIMITED (12417560): persons with significant control] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Reuben Brothers (Newcastle) Limited]] || 13412040 || Incorporated 2021 || <ref name="CH13412040">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13412040 REUBEN BROTHERS (NEWCASTLE) LIMITED (13412040): company overview] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Arena Racing Corporation]] Limited || 07997040 || Racecourse group formed in 2012 || <ref name="CH07997040">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07997040 ARENA RACING CORPORATION LIMITED (07997040): company overview] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref><ref name="RBTimeline" />
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|-
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| [[Wellington Pub Company]] Limited || 03406623 || Pub group bought in 2004; 2008 donor || <ref name="CH03406623">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03406623 WELLINGTON PUB COMPANY LIMITED (03406623): company overview] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref><ref name="RBTimeline" />
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|-
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| [[Wellesley Capital Investment]] Limited || 04833053 || 2008 donor || <ref name="CH04833053">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04833053 WELLESLEY CAPITAL INVESTMENT LIMITED (04833053): company overview] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Criterion Asset Management]] Limited || 03382237 || 2008 donor || <ref name="CH03382237">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03382237 CRITERION ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED (03382237): company overview] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Kirkglade]] Limited || 04229054 || 2008 donor; [[Robert Tchenguiz]] and [[Vincent Tchenguiz]] were directors, 2001–2006 || <ref name="CH04229054">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04229054 KIRKGLADE LIMITED (04229054): company overview] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Siruben Land Limited]] || 02373645 || Former director David Reuben, 1991–1995 || <ref name="CH02373645">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02373645 SIRUBEN LAND LIMITED (02373645): company overview] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Distantview Limited]] || 02608624 || Former director David Reuben, 1991–1995 || <ref name="CH02608624">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02608624 DISTANTVIEW LIMITED (02608624): company overview] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|}
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==Donations recorded by the Electoral Commission==
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The [[Electoral Commission]] register records these donations from companies in the group. Dates are the dates the donations were accepted.
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{| class="wikitable"
 +
! Donor !! Recipient !! Amount !! Accepted !! Source
 +
|-
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| [[Motcomb Estates]] Ltd || [[Conservative Party]] || £36,000 || 24 October 2007 || <ref name="ECMotcomb">[[Electoral Commission]], [https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/api/search/Donations?query=Motcomb&sort=AcceptedDate&order=desc&rows=50&et=pp&et=ppm&et=tp&et=perpar&et=rd&prePoll=false&postPoll=true Donations search: "Motcomb"] ''Political finance register'', accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Investors in Private Capital]] Ltd || [[Conservative Party]] || £50,000 || 31 January 2008 || <ref name="ECIPC">[[Electoral Commission]], [https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/api/search/Donations?query=Investors%20in%20Private%20Capital&sort=AcceptedDate&order=desc&rows=50&et=pp&et=ppm&et=tp&et=perpar&et=rd&prePoll=false&postPoll=true Donations search: "Investors in Private Capital"] ''Political finance register'', accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Kirkglade]] Ltd || [[Conservative Party]] || £25,000 || 31 January 2008 || <ref name="ECKirkglade">[[Electoral Commission]], [https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/api/search/Donations?query=Kirkglade&sort=AcceptedDate&order=desc&rows=50&et=pp&et=ppm&et=tp&et=perpar&et=rd&prePoll=false&postPoll=true Donations search: "Kirkglade"] ''Political finance register'', accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Wellesley Capital Investment]] Ltd || [[Conservative Party]] || £25,000 || 31 January 2008 || <ref name="ECWellesley">[[Electoral Commission]], [https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/api/search/Donations?query=Wellesley%20Capital&sort=AcceptedDate&order=desc&rows=50&et=pp&et=ppm&et=tp&et=perpar&et=rd&prePoll=false&postPoll=true Donations search: "Wellesley Capital"] ''Political finance register'', accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Wellington Pub Company]] plc || [[Conservative Party]] || £25,000 || 26 March 2008 || <ref name="ECWellington">[[Electoral Commission]], [https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/api/search/Donations?query=Wellington%20Pub&sort=AcceptedDate&order=desc&rows=50&et=pp&et=ppm&et=tp&et=perpar&et=rd&prePoll=false&postPoll=true Donations search: "Wellington Pub"] ''Political finance register'', accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Criterion Asset Management]] Ltd || [[Conservative Party]] || £25,000 || 26 March 2008 || <ref name="ECCriterion">[[Electoral Commission]], [https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/api/search/Donations?query=Criterion%20Asset&sort=AcceptedDate&order=desc&rows=50&et=pp&et=ppm&et=tp&et=perpar&et=rd&prePoll=false&postPoll=true Donations search: "Criterion Asset"] ''Political finance register'', accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Investors in Private Capital]] Ltd || [[Conservative Party]] || £175,000 || 31 May 2017 || <ref name="ECIPC" />
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|-
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| [[Investors in Private Capital]] Ltd || [[Conservative Party]] || £125,000 || 1 April 2021 || <ref name="ECIPC" />
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|-
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| [[Investors in Private Capital]] Ltd || [[Boris Johnson]] MP || £85,320.12 (non-cash, premises) || 7 September 2022 || <ref name="ECIPC" />
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|-
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| [[Motcomb Estates]] Ltd || [[Priti Patel]] MP || £4,500 (non-cash, premises) || 28 August 2024 || <ref name="ECMotcomb" />
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|-
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| [[Investors in Private Capital]] Ltd || [[Reform UK]] || £100,000 || 2 December 2025 || <ref name="ECIPC" />
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|}
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The full lists for each company are on the pages for [[Investors in Private Capital]] and [[Motcomb Estates]]. ''[[DeSmog]]'' reported in 2026 that Investors in Private Capital is "ultimately controlled by Omaha Business Holdings Corp" ([[Omaha Business Holdings Corp]]), which it described as a family-owned company in the British Virgin Islands.<ref name="DeSmog2026">Max Colbert, [https://www.desmog.com/2026/10/12/who-funds-reform-uk-the-business-interests-of-nigel-farage-major-donors/ Who Funds Reform UK? The Business Interests of Nigel Farage's Major Donors] ''[[DeSmog]]'', 12 October 2026, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
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==Philanthropy==
 +
The [[Reuben Foundation]] is the family's charity; [[David Reuben]] and [[Simon Reuben]] are both directors.<ref name="CH04481304">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04481304/officers REUBEN FOUNDATION (04481304): officers] accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> The [[University of Oxford]] announced in June 2020 an £80m gift from the foundation to its newest graduate college, to be named [[Reuben College]]. The gift also expanded the Reuben Scholarship Programme, which the foundation had set up in 2012.<ref name="Oxford2020" /> In 2004 ''Fortune'' reported that the brothers had put $100m into the foundation.<ref name="Fortune2004" /> In March 2003 the ''[[Jewish Chronicle]]'' reported that the brothers had "recently launched the Reuben Foundation charity with a donation of $100 million."<ref name="JC2003Levitt" />
 +
 +
===Nancy Reuben Primary School and Od Yosef Hai===
 +
In 2006 the ''[[Jewish Chronicle]]'' reported that Od Yosef Hai Primary School in Hendon, north London, was to be renamed the Nancy Reuben School, in memory of the brothers' mother. The school "shares premises with Od Yosef Hai Synagogue", and the change came with a £1.5m redevelopment.<ref name="JC2006">''[[Jewish Chronicle]]'', 14 July 2006, reproduced as [https://www.reubenbrothers.com/reuben-school/ Reuben School] ''reubenbrothers.com'', accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> The congregation's own history says the school "through the generosity of the Reuben Brothers became the [[Nancy Reuben Primary School]] in memory of their beloved mother". It adds that "with their generous help and a bank loan" it built a new synagogue, a Beth Hamidrash and a banqueting hall, named the Nancy Reuben Banqueting Hall, at 50 Finchley Lane, Hendon, London NW4 1DJ. The same history records that Od Yosef Hai was set up in 1983 as a yeshiva at 232 Hendon Way, Hendon (see [[Od Yosef Hai Yeshiva College of Rabbinical Studies]]).<ref name="OYHHistory">Od Yosef Hai, [https://odyosefhai.com/history/ History] ''odyosefhai.com'', accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> The foundation's 2023 accounts record grants to the school of £330,000 in 2023 and £500,000 in 2022.<ref name="RF23">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04481304/filing-history/MzQ0MTg2NTg4MWFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 Reuben Foundation (company 04481304): group accounts made up to 31 December 2023] (filed 4 November 2024), note 9 "Grants payable", PDF pp.27–28, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> The 2024 accounts give £510,000 for 2024 and £300,000 for 2023.<ref name="RF24">[[Companies House]], [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04481304/filing-history/MzQ4Mzc1NDQwNWFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 Reuben Foundation (company 04481304): group accounts made up to 31 December 2024] (filed 7 October 2025), note 8 "Analysis of grants", PDF p.30 (printed page 28), accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
 +
 +
The ''Jewish Chronicle'' report of 14 July 2006 said that the school was to be renamed "in memory of the mother of David and Simon Reuben", that the complex "is in the midst of a £1.5 million redevelopment project", and that "the school and the Reuben Brothers declined comment on the matter."<ref name="JC2006p17">"Reuben school", ''Jewish Chronicle'', 14 July 2006, p. 17.</ref> Advertisements in the paper in October and November 2006 invited parents to an open morning at "the Nancy Reuben Primary School (formerly known as OYH Primary School)" on Wednesday 8 November 2006 at 9.30am, with application forms available from 48 Finchley Lane, NW4 1DJ.<ref name="JC2006Ads">Advertisement, ''Jewish Chronicle'', 27 October 2006, p. 48; repeated 3 November 2006, p. 58.</ref>
 +
 +
==Israel and Jewish community links==
 +
''Lifestyles'' magazine described the brothers in 2009 as Sephardic Jews. It reported that they had opened two [[Reuben Foundation]] breast-care centres in Israel: one at the [[Meir Medical Centre]] in Kfar Saba in March 2005, and one at the [[Linn Medical Center]] in Haifa, which they opened alongside President [[Shimon Peres]].<ref name="Lifestyles2009">Natalie Madell, "The Brothers Reuben", ''Lifestyles Magazine'', Fall 2009, reproduced as [https://www.reubenbrothers.com/the-brothers-reuben/ The Brothers Reuben] ''reubenbrothers.com'', accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
 +
 +
The [[Reuben Foundation]]'s accounts list these material grants (£000) to Israeli and Jewish community bodies:<ref name="RF24" />
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
! Recipient !! 2023 !! 2024 !! Source
 +
|-
 +
| The Association for Israel's Soldiers ([[Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers]]) || 1,425 || 2,193 || <ref name="RF24" />
 +
|-
 +
| [[Reichman University]] || 201 || – || <ref name="RF24" />
 +
|-
 +
| [[Tel Aviv University]] || – || 159 || <ref name="RF24" />
 +
|-
 +
| [[Medison Aid]] || 150 || – || <ref name="RF24" />
 +
|-
 +
| [[Community Security Trust]] || 105 || – || <ref name="RF24" />
 +
|-
 +
| [[Latet|Latet - Israel Humanitarian Aid]] || 83 || – || <ref name="RF24" />
 +
|-
 +
| [[Brothers & Sisters for Israel]] || 80 || – || <ref name="RF24" />
 +
|-
 +
| [[Norwood Ravenswood|Norwood]] || – || 50 || <ref name="RF24" />
 +
|}
 +
The 2023 accounts also list these smaller grants (2022 figures in brackets):<ref name="RF23" />
 +
* [[Jewish Care]], £25,000 (£25,000)
 +
* [[ATALEF Foundation]], £24,663
 +
* [[Campaign Against Antisemitism]], £20,000
 +
* [[Policy Exchange]], £20,000
 +
* [[Chabad]], £5,000 (£5,000)
 +
* [[Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre]], nil (£5,000)
 +
* [[Holocaust Educational Trust]], nil (£75,000)
 +
 +
The 2003 ''[[Jewish Chronicle]]'' report quoted [[Michael David Gubbay|Mike Gubbay]], a member of Od Yosef Hai Synagogue in Hendon and a director of [[Motcomb Estates]], which it said "runs the brothers' property affairs", as saying that the [[Reuben Foundation]] would back "Jewish and other causes. They are big supporters of Israel."<ref name="JC2003Levitt" /> In August 2004 the paper reported that the Reubens were leading a consortium of wealthy UK Jews hoping to take control of [[Israel Discount Bank]] for about £1.1bn; a spokesman would not comment on "market rumours".<ref name="JC2004Aug">Mark Scodie, "Reubens linked to bid to buy major Israeli bank", ''Jewish Chronicle'', 20 August 2004, p. 7.</ref>
 +
 +
==Residence==
 +
In October 2026 ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported research by [[TaxWatch]] which found that [[David Reuben]] had been tax resident in Monaco since at least 2014; a spokesperson confirmed this.<ref name="Guardian2026">Helena Horton, [https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/oct/07/billionaire-quit-uk-wealth-tax-resident-monaco-super-rich-exodus 'I reside in Monaco': billionaire said to have quit UK over potential wealth tax had already left] ''[[The Guardian]]'', 7 October 2026, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref><ref name="TaxWatch2026">Mike Lewis, [https://www.taxwatchuk.org/how-many-times-can-you-move-to-monaco/ How many times can you move to Monaco?] ''[[TaxWatch]]'', 7 October 2026, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref> According to the newspaper:<ref name="Guardian2026" />
 +
* in 2024 he signed a declaration to a Los Angeles court stating: "I reside in Monaco. I have resided there for approximately 10 years";
 +
* his July 2019 [[Companies House]] filing had given Monaco as his usual residence;
 +
* [[Simon Reuben]] has lived in Monaco for 40 years, having moved there on health grounds.
  
 
==Affiliations==
 
==Affiliations==
Line 19: Line 235:
 
*[[Motcomb Estates]] - advisor to Reuben Brothers
 
*[[Motcomb Estates]] - advisor to Reuben Brothers
 
*[[Community Security Trust]] - Recipient of funds
 
*[[Community Security Trust]] - Recipient of funds
 +
*[[Reuben Brothers Limited]] - UK holding company
 +
*[[Investors in Private Capital]] - group company and political donor
 +
*[[Aldersgate Investments]] - bidder for [[Arena Leisure]] in 2012
 +
*[[Nancy Reuben Primary School]] - named after the brothers' mother
 +
*[[Od Yosef Hai Yeshiva College of Rabbinical Studies]]
  
 
===Public Relations===
 
===Public Relations===
Line 29: Line 250:
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
−
[[Category:Aluminium Industry]] [[Category:Mining]]
+
[[Category:Aluminium Industry]] [[Category:Mining and Metals]]
−
[[Category:Mining Industry]]
 
−
[[Category:Mining and Metals]]
 
 
[[Category:Mining and Metals: Industry People]]
 
[[Category:Mining and Metals: Industry People]]
 +
[[Category:Land and Property Companies]] [[Category:Conservative Party Donors]] [[Category:Companies]] [[Category:Organisations with links to Israel]]

Latest revision as of 09:56, 31 October 2026

British family investment group of the brothers David and Simon Reuben

Mining-alcans-60px.jpg This article is part of the Mining and Metals project of Spinwatch
Reuben Brothers

Logo Reuben Brothers logo.png
Type Private family investment group; UK holding company Reuben Brothers Limited (company 04406970)
Founder(s) David Reuben and Simon Reuben
Headquarters 4th Floor Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London SW1P 4QP (registered office of the UK group companies)
Industry Property investment, private equity and lending
Homepage reubenbrothers.com

Billionaire brothers David and Simon Reuben made a fortune in the aluminium business in Russia in the 1990s, and are now among the UK's largest property investors.[1]

The brothers 'started out importing carpets and buying real estate'. They 'moved to the UK as teenagers after growing up in Bombay' and 'are ranked as the eighth richest people in Britain according to The Sunday Times with a fortune estimated at £7 billion.'[2] The group's UK holding company, Reuben Brothers Limited, was incorporated on 30 March 2002.[3] It shares its registered office at Millbank Tower in London with other companies in the group, including Motcomb Estates, Trans-World Group Limited and Investors in Private Capital.[4][5] According to BBC News, the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List placed "David and Simon Reuben and family" second, with £27.9bn.[6]

The family's giving goes through the Reuben Foundation, whose £80m gift to the University of Oxford in 2020 led to the naming of Reuben College.[7] The brothers have held a minority stake in Newcastle United Football Club since October 2021.[8] After the club's July 2024 ownership change, the family company RB Sports & Media held about 15%.[9]

Russia

In 1992, the Reuben brothers and their trusted aide, Alan Bekhor, set up an office in Moscow in order to ensure a continued supply of Russian aluminium to their trading firm, Trans-World Metals.

Reuben teamed up with Lev Tchernoi, a Russian-based commodities, metal and timber dealer who was to act as his main contact in the country. Tchernoi, an invalid after contracting polio as a child, is regarded in the trade as the 'crippled genius' from Tashkent who first helped Reuben get a foothold in Russia. Now an Israeli citizen, he is said to have made a fortune in the Soviet days from a secretive textile business in Uzbekistan.
Lev's older brother Mikhail, despite having no current connection with Trans -World, was also involved in those early days. Even in London's notoriously gossipy metals trade, it is hard to find people to talk about the Tchernoi brothers. While Lev is generally regarded as 'clean', numerous attempts have been made to smear Mikhail with mafia connections, and the Moscow press has referred to his associates as 'the bandits of Siberia'.[10]

Conservative support

Following a public spat between the brothers and Ken Livingstone, David Reuben gave £4,000 to Boris Johnson's campaign to become Mayor of London in January 2008.[11] His son Jamie also worked on Johnson's campaign and the brothers reportedly assisted their friend Jonathan Marland in contacting potential donors.[12]

In July 2008, it emerged that the brothers had donated £186,000 to the Conservatives through six different companies:

The donations are: £36,000 from Motcomb Estates last October; £50,000 from Investors in Private Capital in January; £25,000 apiece from Kirkglade and Wellesley Capital Investment in January; and £25,000 from Wellington Pub Company and Criterion Asset Management in March.[13]

Background and Trans-World

Sources differ on the family's origins. The Guardian in 2004 said the brothers "were born in Bombay to Jewish parents of Iranian descent", moved to London as teenagers and were raised by their mother and grandmother.[14] Property Week in 2004 called them "sons of Iraqi Jews who had moved to India".[15] The Guardian in 2021 said they were "born in Mumbai to Iraqi Jewish parents with an extensive business empire in Baghdad and India" and moved to Britain with their mother in the 1950s.[16]

The 2004 Guardian profile gives these early careers:[14]

The same article says the brothers opened a Russian office in 1991 with Lev Chernoy. It reports that, according to the company, by 1995 Trans-World had a turnover of close to £4bn and accounted for 5 per cent of the world's aluminium production. In 2000 the brothers sold the aluminium interests to Sibneft for £300m.[14] A 1998 World Bank report claimed that Trans-World was founded with $2m borrowed from Marc Rich; the brothers confirmed business dealings with Rich but denied that he funded the company.[14]

Fortune later published an "update and clarification" on the brothers. It reported that:[1]

  • in December 2000 Kroll Associates, which the brothers had hired, issued a report on six of their metal-trading companies; it found "no evidence of money laundering, or any other illegal activity";
  • in August 2001 the Düsseldorf prosecutor's office told the brothers it had ended its money-laundering inquiry;
  • the libel claim that the brothers and Trans World brought in June 2001 against the writer Richard Behar and Time Inc. had been "resolved on amicable terms".

The same piece notes that the Kroll report did not cover the company's relationship with Lev and Michael Chernoy.

Business since 2000

Property Week reported in 2004 that Motcomb Estates was set up in 1991 to handle the Reubens' property interests. Its staff then included:[15]

The magazine quoted the remark that "there's only one decision-maker at Motcomb and that's Simon Reuben".[15]

The group's own timeline lists these acquisitions and disposals:[8]

Date Event
May 2003 Financing of a 50.4% stake in Ermewa, a rail freight business based in Switzerland
March 2004 £500m portfolio of 220 pubs, bought with partners and leased back to Spirit
May 2004 35% stake in the buyout of Chelsfield
August 2004 Wellington Pub Company, about 840 pubs, from Sun Capital and Hugh Osmond
January 2006 Control of the data centre company Global Switch, after buying out Multiplex's interest
June 2006 50% of Stratford City sold for £110m
September 2006 €1bn property joint venture with Deutsche Bank
April 2007 Northern Racing, for about £90m
May 2007 100% of Global Switch
July 2007 Oxford Airport; full ownership followed in July 2008 after the purchase of Dawnay Day's 50%
April 2009 Stake in Arena Leisure above 26%
April 2010 Stake in Metro Bank
February 2011 Remaining 50% of four joint ventures with Brookfield
June 2011 The Piccadilly Estate in London
February 2012 London Heliport
March 2012 Arena Leisure
August 2012 Arena Racing Company formed by merging Arena Leisure and Northern Racing
December 2014 Metro International Trade Services, bought from Goldman Sachs
December 2016 49% of Global Switch sold
May 2018 Burlington Arcade
July 2018 24.99% of Global Switch sold for £2.1bn
February 2019 Investment in hiSky, which the timeline describes as an Israeli company
August 2019 24.01% of Global Switch sold to Jiangsu Shagang, at a valuation of £1.8bn
October 2021 Stake in Newcastle United Football Club
March 2022 Avery Healthcare
June 2022 Admiralty Arch
September 2024 Airbus Helicopters headquarters at London Oxford Airport completed

Property Week reported in December 2002 that Motcomb Estates had paid £115m for Millbank Tower, buying it from Tishman Speyer.[17] Its 2004 profile gave the price as £120m.[15]

In March 2003 the Jewish Chronicle reported that the brothers had launched a website about their business, "breaking with their reclusive past". It put their fortune at an estimated £2.1 billion, made from "a highly successful metals and real estate business", and said: "Their property portfolio includes Millbank Tower and has an estimated value of more than £1 billion — exceeding that of publicly quoted Canary Wharf Group." It quoted Philip Beresford, compiler of the Sunday Times Rich List, as saying that the Reubens "are now top players in the London property market, recycling their Russian profits".[18] The Irish Sunday Tribune reported in the same week that "over the past few years the Reuben brothers, now in their 60s, have built up a £1.5bn UK commercial property portfolio, including London's Millbank, which once housed the headquarters of the Labour Party."[19]

In August 2003 the Jewish Chronicle reported that the brothers were in talks to back Elliott Bernerd's £880m management buyout of Chelsfield. A spokesman said: "They have been friends for many, many years and, as you would expect, there have been discussions about it. But there is nothing formal at the moment." The paper also reported that the Reubens had invested between £10m and £20m in a property consortium led by Tom Hunter, and described the brothers' portfolio as one that "includes the former Labour Party HQ Millbank Tower and is thought to be worth more than £1 billion."[20] In September 2003 it reported that Bernerd had discussed the buyout with "his 'old friends,' the billionaire Reuben brothers".[21] In October 2004 it reported that the Reubens and Bernerd were said to have clashed "over management style", and that Westfield had bid for Chelsfield.[22] Two weeks later it reported that Bernerd had agreed to sell Chelsfield for £585m to a joint offer from Westfield, Multiplex and the Reubens, and that the Reubens and Multiplex "will jointly run the remaining properties".[23]

In 2012 Aldersgate Investments bid for Arena Leisure at 44.25p a share, valuing the company at about £167m.[24] The Office of Fair Trading described Aldersgate as a British Virgin Islands company "wholly owned by family trusts controlled by" David and Simon Reuben, and said it already owned 29.8 per cent of Arena.[25] The bid announcement instead said that the 29.8% stake was held by Reuben Brothers Limited, acting in concert with Aldersgate. It named Stephane Nahum "of Motcomb Estates Limited, representing Aldersgate", and gave Luther Pendragon as public relations adviser.[24]

UK companies on the register

These companies are on the Companies House register. Each is connected to the family or the group as shown in the third column.

Company Number Connection Source
Reuben Brothers Limited 04406970 Incorporated 30 March 2002; registered office 4th Floor Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, England, SW1P 4QP [3]
Motcomb Estates Limited 02373675 Described by Property Week as investing "on behalf of brothers Simon and David Reuben" [4][17]
Trans-World Group Limited 02586047 Person with significant control: Mr Reuben David Reuben (50–75% of shares and votes) [26]
Investors in Private Capital Limited 05204672 Director James Adam Reuben, 2010–2024; Electoral Commission donor [5]
RB Sports & Media Limited 12417560 Person with significant control: James Adam Reuben (75–100%) [27]
Reuben Brothers (Newcastle) Limited 13412040 Incorporated 2021 [28]
Arena Racing Corporation Limited 07997040 Racecourse group formed in 2012 [29][8]
Wellington Pub Company Limited 03406623 Pub group bought in 2004; 2008 donor [30][8]
Wellesley Capital Investment Limited 04833053 2008 donor [31]
Criterion Asset Management Limited 03382237 2008 donor [32]
Kirkglade Limited 04229054 2008 donor; Robert Tchenguiz and Vincent Tchenguiz were directors, 2001–2006 [33]
Siruben Land Limited 02373645 Former director David Reuben, 1991–1995 [34]
Distantview Limited 02608624 Former director David Reuben, 1991–1995 [35]

Donations recorded by the Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission register records these donations from companies in the group. Dates are the dates the donations were accepted.

Donor Recipient Amount Accepted Source
Motcomb Estates Ltd Conservative Party £36,000 24 October 2007 [36]
Investors in Private Capital Ltd Conservative Party £50,000 31 January 2008 [37]
Kirkglade Ltd Conservative Party £25,000 31 January 2008 [38]
Wellesley Capital Investment Ltd Conservative Party £25,000 31 January 2008 [39]
Wellington Pub Company plc Conservative Party £25,000 26 March 2008 [40]
Criterion Asset Management Ltd Conservative Party £25,000 26 March 2008 [41]
Investors in Private Capital Ltd Conservative Party £175,000 31 May 2017 [37]
Investors in Private Capital Ltd Conservative Party £125,000 1 April 2021 [37]
Investors in Private Capital Ltd Boris Johnson MP £85,320.12 (non-cash, premises) 7 September 2022 [37]
Motcomb Estates Ltd Priti Patel MP £4,500 (non-cash, premises) 28 August 2024 [36]
Investors in Private Capital Ltd Reform UK £100,000 2 December 2025 [37]

The full lists for each company are on the pages for Investors in Private Capital and Motcomb Estates. DeSmog reported in 2026 that Investors in Private Capital is "ultimately controlled by Omaha Business Holdings Corp" (Omaha Business Holdings Corp), which it described as a family-owned company in the British Virgin Islands.[42]

Philanthropy

The Reuben Foundation is the family's charity; David Reuben and Simon Reuben are both directors.[43] The University of Oxford announced in June 2020 an £80m gift from the foundation to its newest graduate college, to be named Reuben College. The gift also expanded the Reuben Scholarship Programme, which the foundation had set up in 2012.[7] In 2004 Fortune reported that the brothers had put $100m into the foundation.[1] In March 2003 the Jewish Chronicle reported that the brothers had "recently launched the Reuben Foundation charity with a donation of $100 million."[18]

Nancy Reuben Primary School and Od Yosef Hai

In 2006 the Jewish Chronicle reported that Od Yosef Hai Primary School in Hendon, north London, was to be renamed the Nancy Reuben School, in memory of the brothers' mother. The school "shares premises with Od Yosef Hai Synagogue", and the change came with a £1.5m redevelopment.[44] The congregation's own history says the school "through the generosity of the Reuben Brothers became the Nancy Reuben Primary School in memory of their beloved mother". It adds that "with their generous help and a bank loan" it built a new synagogue, a Beth Hamidrash and a banqueting hall, named the Nancy Reuben Banqueting Hall, at 50 Finchley Lane, Hendon, London NW4 1DJ. The same history records that Od Yosef Hai was set up in 1983 as a yeshiva at 232 Hendon Way, Hendon (see Od Yosef Hai Yeshiva College of Rabbinical Studies).[45] The foundation's 2023 accounts record grants to the school of £330,000 in 2023 and £500,000 in 2022.[46] The 2024 accounts give £510,000 for 2024 and £300,000 for 2023.[47]

The Jewish Chronicle report of 14 July 2006 said that the school was to be renamed "in memory of the mother of David and Simon Reuben", that the complex "is in the midst of a £1.5 million redevelopment project", and that "the school and the Reuben Brothers declined comment on the matter."[48] Advertisements in the paper in October and November 2006 invited parents to an open morning at "the Nancy Reuben Primary School (formerly known as OYH Primary School)" on Wednesday 8 November 2006 at 9.30am, with application forms available from 48 Finchley Lane, NW4 1DJ.[49]

Israel and Jewish community links

Lifestyles magazine described the brothers in 2009 as Sephardic Jews. It reported that they had opened two Reuben Foundation breast-care centres in Israel: one at the Meir Medical Centre in Kfar Saba in March 2005, and one at the Linn Medical Center in Haifa, which they opened alongside President Shimon Peres.[50]

The Reuben Foundation's accounts list these material grants (£000) to Israeli and Jewish community bodies:[47]

Recipient 2023 2024 Source
The Association for Israel's Soldiers (Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers) 1,425 2,193 [47]
Reichman University 201 – [47]
Tel Aviv University – 159 [47]
Medison Aid 150 – [47]
Community Security Trust 105 – [47]
Latet - Israel Humanitarian Aid 83 – [47]
Brothers & Sisters for Israel 80 – [47]
Norwood – 50 [47]

The 2023 accounts also list these smaller grants (2022 figures in brackets):[46]

The 2003 Jewish Chronicle report quoted Mike Gubbay, a member of Od Yosef Hai Synagogue in Hendon and a director of Motcomb Estates, which it said "runs the brothers' property affairs", as saying that the Reuben Foundation would back "Jewish and other causes. They are big supporters of Israel."[18] In August 2004 the paper reported that the Reubens were leading a consortium of wealthy UK Jews hoping to take control of Israel Discount Bank for about £1.1bn; a spokesman would not comment on "market rumours".[51]

Residence

In October 2026 The Guardian reported research by TaxWatch which found that David Reuben had been tax resident in Monaco since at least 2014; a spokesperson confirmed this.[52][53] According to the newspaper:[52]

  • in 2024 he signed a declaration to a Los Angeles court stating: "I reside in Monaco. I have resided there for approximately 10 years";
  • his July 2019 Companies House filing had given Monaco as his usual residence;
  • Simon Reuben has lived in Monaco for 40 years, having moved there on health grounds.

Affiliations

Public Relations

Website

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 David and Simon Reuben: Update and Clarification, Fortune, 12 July 2004. Archived copy: Wayback Machine, capture of 27 March 2025, accessed 31 October 2026.
  2. ↑ SWNS Reporter Reuben brothers to turn run-down mansion in Piccadilly into UK’s most expensive home… worth £200million SWNS.com October 22, 2012. Accessed 14 August 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Companies House, REUBEN BROTHERS LIMITED (04406970): company overview accessed 31 October 2026.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Companies House, MOTCOMB ESTATES LIMITED (02373675): company overview accessed 31 October 2026.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Companies House, INVESTORS IN PRIVATE CAPITAL LIMITED (05204672): company overview accessed 31 October 2026.
  6. ↑ Zahra Fatima, Rich List: Beckhams become billionaires as Oasis appear for first time BBC News, 15 May 2026, accessed 31 October 2026.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 University of Oxford, Reuben Foundation donates £80 million for first new Oxford college in 30 years ox.ac.uk, 11 June 2020, accessed 31 October 2026.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Reuben Brothers, Timeline reubenbrothers.com, accessed 31 October 2026.
  9. ↑ Newcastle United Football Club, Newcastle United announces agreement to change its ownership structure newcastleunited.com, 12 July 2024, accessed 31 October 2026.
  10. ↑ Tsar of Siberia feels the heat, by Ian King, The Guardian, 20 March 1997.
  11. ↑ Reuben brothers give Tories nearly £200,000, by Jim Pickard, FT.com, 30 July 2008.
  12. ↑ Boris gets the backing of Ken's billionaire property foes, Pandora column, The Independent, 11 December 2007.
  13. ↑ Reuben brothers give Tories nearly £200,000, by Jim Pickard, FT.com, 30 July 2008.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 James Robinson, Pack up your roubles ... The Guardian, 27 June 2004, accessed 31 October 2026.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Helen Thomas, "Reuben Revealed", Property Week, 23 April 2004, reproduced as Reuben Revealed reubenbrothers.com, accessed 31 October 2026.
  16. ↑ Louise Taylor, Newcastle takeover: a guide to the new key figures at St James' Park The Guardian, 8 October 2021, accessed 31 October 2026.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Editor, Motcomb buys up Millbank Tower Property Week, 6 December 2002, accessed 31 October 2026.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Lee Levitt, "Brothers go public over their successes", Jewish Chronicle, 28 March 2003, p. 10.
  19. ↑ Aine Coffey, "Russian aluminium czars set to hit the UK acquisition trail", Sunday Tribune, 30 March 2003, p. 27.
  20. ↑ Mark Scodie, "Reuben brothers in talks to back Bernerd buyout", Jewish Chronicle, 8 August 2003, p. 7.
  21. ↑ Mark Scodie, "Bernerd is nearer buy-out", Jewish Chronicle, 12 September 2003, p. 12.
  22. ↑ Mark Scodie, "Westfield shops for Chelsfield", Jewish Chronicle, 8 October 2004, p. 7.
  23. ↑ Mark Scodie, "Bernerd agrees Chelsfield sale", Jewish Chronicle, 22 October 2004, p. 10.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Aldersgate Investments Limited, Offer by Aldersgate Investments Limited RNS announcement, 13 January 2012, reproduced by shareprices.com, accessed 31 October 2026.
  25. ↑ Office of Fair Trading, Anticipated acquisition by Aldersgate Investments Limited of Arena Leisure plc, ME/5352/12 decision of 26 March 2012, published 2 April 2012, accessed 31 October 2026.
  26. ↑ Companies House, TRANS-WORLD GROUP LIMITED (02586047): persons with significant control accessed 31 October 2026.
  27. ↑ Companies House, RB SPORTS & MEDIA LIMITED (12417560): persons with significant control accessed 31 October 2026.
  28. ↑ Companies House, REUBEN BROTHERS (NEWCASTLE) LIMITED (13412040): company overview accessed 31 October 2026.
  29. ↑ Companies House, ARENA RACING CORPORATION LIMITED (07997040): company overview accessed 31 October 2026.
  30. ↑ Companies House, WELLINGTON PUB COMPANY LIMITED (03406623): company overview accessed 31 October 2026.
  31. ↑ Companies House, WELLESLEY CAPITAL INVESTMENT LIMITED (04833053): company overview accessed 31 October 2026.
  32. ↑ Companies House, CRITERION ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED (03382237): company overview accessed 31 October 2026.
  33. ↑ Companies House, KIRKGLADE LIMITED (04229054): company overview accessed 31 October 2026.
  34. ↑ Companies House, SIRUBEN LAND LIMITED (02373645): company overview accessed 31 October 2026.
  35. ↑ Companies House, DISTANTVIEW LIMITED (02608624): company overview accessed 31 October 2026.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Electoral Commission, Donations search: "Motcomb" Political finance register, accessed 31 October 2026.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 Electoral Commission, Donations search: "Investors in Private Capital" Political finance register, accessed 31 October 2026.
  38. ↑ Electoral Commission, Donations search: "Kirkglade" Political finance register, accessed 31 October 2026.
  39. ↑ Electoral Commission, Donations search: "Wellesley Capital" Political finance register, accessed 31 October 2026.
  40. ↑ Electoral Commission, Donations search: "Wellington Pub" Political finance register, accessed 31 October 2026.
  41. ↑ Electoral Commission, Donations search: "Criterion Asset" Political finance register, accessed 31 October 2026.
  42. ↑ Max Colbert, Who Funds Reform UK? The Business Interests of Nigel Farage's Major Donors DeSmog, 12 October 2026, accessed 31 October 2026.
  43. ↑ Companies House, REUBEN FOUNDATION (04481304): officers accessed 31 October 2026.
  44. ↑ Jewish Chronicle, 14 July 2006, reproduced as Reuben School reubenbrothers.com, accessed 31 October 2026.
  45. ↑ Od Yosef Hai, History odyosefhai.com, accessed 31 October 2026.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Companies House, Reuben Foundation (company 04481304): group accounts made up to 31 December 2023 (filed 4 November 2024), note 9 "Grants payable", PDF pp.27–28, accessed 31 October 2026.
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 47.3 47.4 47.5 47.6 47.7 47.8 47.9 Companies House, Reuben Foundation (company 04481304): group accounts made up to 31 December 2024 (filed 7 October 2025), note 8 "Analysis of grants", PDF p.30 (printed page 28), accessed 31 October 2026.
  48. ↑ "Reuben school", Jewish Chronicle, 14 July 2006, p. 17.
  49. ↑ Advertisement, Jewish Chronicle, 27 October 2006, p. 48; repeated 3 November 2006, p. 58.
  50. ↑ Natalie Madell, "The Brothers Reuben", Lifestyles Magazine, Fall 2009, reproduced as The Brothers Reuben reubenbrothers.com, accessed 31 October 2026.
  51. ↑ Mark Scodie, "Reubens linked to bid to buy major Israeli bank", Jewish Chronicle, 20 August 2004, p. 7.
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 Helena Horton, 'I reside in Monaco': billionaire said to have quit UK over potential wealth tax had already left The Guardian, 7 October 2026, accessed 31 October 2026.
  53. ↑ Mike Lewis, How many times can you move to Monaco? TaxWatch, 7 October 2026, accessed 31 October 2026.
  54. ↑ Register 1st September 2014 - 30th November 2014 APPC, accessed 28 January 2015
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