David and Simon Reuben: British Businessmen and Philanthropists
David and Simon Reuben are two billionaire British businessmen and philanthropists who have been major shareholders in businesses and properties with a combined estimated wealth of about £18.4 billion as of March 2021. They have a vast real estate portfolio and investments around the world, extensively in commercial and residential real estate. Aside from business, the Reuben brothers are dedicated to a range of charitable causes, funding a number of global philanthropic projects ranging from health and education to environmental awareness. Let’s take a deeper look into the lives and works of the dynamic duo—David and Simon Reuben.
David and Simon Reuben’s Early Lives
The brothers were born in 1948 in Mumbai, India to an Iranian Jewish family that had moved to the country in pursuit of machining. After immigrating to London in the early 1960s, David and Simon Reuben took up several low-paid jobs such as street vendors, scrap metal traders, and gas station attendants. During this time, through hard work and determination, the brothers knew they wanted to build and develop a business of their own by working together.
How the Reuben Brothers Successfully Built Their Business Empire
The Reuben brothers’ success originated from their idea to buy scrap metal, which they did with a loan of just £400. The first scrap metals they purchased were copper and aluminum wires. With the help of an inheritance from their father, as well as their own hard work, the scrap metal business kept growing, and profits began to soar.
Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, the Reuben brothers invested heavily in London real estate, putting their substantial wealth to work. Together, they snapped up properties left and right, and their approach almost immediately paid off. In 1995, the brothers developed a strategy to acquire land and secure loans so that they could develop valuable assets.
The Reuben Brothers’ Racing Stable
In addition to their real estate and investments, the Reuben brothers made a fortune by setting up an international racing stable that was called “Reuben Brothers Racing”. This racing stable collected a massive yield in the form of competitive prizes as well as capital gains of horses through sales. Just to give an example, the Reuben Horse “Per Incanto” earned over £2 million in prizes and over £1 million in sales by 2013.
The Reuben Brothers’ Philanthropic Initiatives
Helping the less privileged has always been a part of the Reuben brothers’ agenda. To quote their own words “Charity is an integral part of our commitment to giving back. As a result, we actively support a range of non-governmental, non-profit organizations to help those in need.”
The Reuben Brothers Support for Education
In 2012, the Reuben Brothers generously donated £15 million to Cambridge University for a range of scholarships, fellowships, and teaching posts. The funds were supposed to be distributed to the faculties of Divinity, Classics, and Education.
Reuben Brothers Foundation
The Reuben Brothers Foundation is a charitable organization run by the Reuben brothers and a number of trustees. The foundation donates to a range of causes, including education, health, and the environment. The Foundation also runs a range of events and campaigns that have proven to be successful and have contributed to high-visibility projects.
Although the exact amount that the Reuben Brothers Foundation has given to various charities is unknown, it is estimated to be in the billions of pounds. The grants have varied from giving food to sponsoring health and education programs.
Other Charitable Projects
In 2018, the brothers supported a major project with the Cambridge University Hospitals charity. This project aimed to support the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit by purchasing the best technology available, and the Reuben Brothers were one of the architects of the project, donating a substantial amount of money to get the work done.
The Reubens have also provided grants to a number of other charities such as the Danish-based Aid to Children and Education (ACE) charity, which helps to provide educational opportunities for children in communities around the world.
The Reuben brothers have made incredible contributions to the business world as well as the philanthropic sector. Their commitment to giving back to society is a testament to their ability to recognise, nurture and develop opportunities. They have also made massive donations to a variety of charities around the world, exemplifying their sharp business acumen and an unwavering commitment to a better future for all.