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Our history

RIT Capital Partners traces its origins back to the earlier Rothschild Investment Trust, which was originally associated with the family bank, N. M. Rothschild & Sons.

Jacob Rothschild joined the bank in 1959 and played a significant role in developing its business. In 1971 he was appointed Chairman of Rothschild Investment Trust which had a value of £5 million. In 1980 he left the bank to concentrate on developing the business of Rothschild Investment Trust, which was subsequently renamed RIT. At that time RIT was a listed investment trust with net assets of some £80 million.

RIT was subsequently built up through a combination of internal growth and acquisitions so that by the 1980s it had become an investment holding company, J Rothschild Holdings plc with assets of about £650 million. As a result of its acquisition of a number of financial services businesses during this period, the company no longer qualified as an investment trust and in 1988, J Rothschild Holdings plc demerged into two entities – J Rothschild Assurance which was subsequently renamed St. James’s Place Capital plc and RIT Capital Partners plc.

RIT Capital Partners plc was listed on the London Stock Exchange with net assets of £281m on 1 August 1988. It is now one of the UK’s largest investment trusts, with a market capitalisation of around £3 billion. Lord Rothschild chaired the Company from inception until 30 September 2019, when he stepped down as Chairman and from the Board. Lord Rothschild became Honorary President, a position he held until his death in February 2024; more information on his life and legacy can be found HERE. His daughter, Hannah, continues to represent the family's interests on the Board of RIT. The Rothschild family remain the largest shareholders with a holding of ~22%¹. ​

On 1 October 2019 Sir James Leigh-Pemberton became Non-Executive Chairman of RIT Capital Partners plc.  

RIT’s offices are located in Spencer House, a building of outstanding historic and architectural importance, located in the St. James’s area of London. RIT acquired a long leasehold interest in 1986 and subsequently carried out an extensive restoration. The House is available for prestigious functions and open to the public on Sundays and Monday mornings only for pre booked groups. Private group tours of the House can also be arranged by contacting the Tours Administrator.