Financier, Lord Jacob Rothschild, founder of RIT Capital Partners, passes away aged 87

We at QuotedData express our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Lord Jacob Rothschild, whose passing has just been announced by his family.

The family has said “Our father Jacob was a towering presence in many people’s lives, a superbly accomplished financier, a champion of the arts and culture, a devoted public servant, a passionate supporter of charitable causes in Israel and Jewish culture, a keen environmentalist and much-loved friend, father and grandfather.

“He will be buried in accordance with Jewish custom in a small family ceremony and there will be a memorial at a later date to celebrate his life.”

Lord Rothschild was a businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist and cultural leader. He was born in Berkshire and educated at Eton College, going on to study history at Christ Church College, Oxford University. As a businessmen, he was chairman of RIT Capital Partners (RCP) until 2019 (his daughter Hannah Rothschild CBE now represents the Rothschild family at board level), but was also deputy chairman of BSkyB Television, a director of RHJ International (now known as BHF Kleinwort Benson Group) and was a member of the council for the Duchy of Cornwall for the then Prince of Wales. He also co-founded GAM Investments and St James’s Place Plc. Reflecting his interests in culture, he was chairman of trustees at The National Gallery, chairman of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and chairman of the trustees for The Rothschild Foundation charity. Renowned for his philanthropic work, one of his largest commitments was to Waddesdon Manor and the Waddesdon estate in Buckinghamshire, which he took over the management of in 1998 on behalf of the National Trust from his cousin Dorothy de Rothschild.

The majority of the beneficial and non-beneficial interests relating to the Rothschild family in RCP are in respect of shares held via trusts, companies or charitable foundations where Hannah Rothschild is a beneficiary, trustee, or is able to exert significant influence.