Forester de Rothschild Considering Sale of Economist Group Stake

Ownership Changes at The Economist Group

Lynn Forester de Rothschild is considering the sale of a significant minority stake in The Economist Group, signaling a major shift in ownership for the 182-year-old publication that has long been read by political and business elites. This move marks the first major change in ownership structure within the organization in over a decade.

According to sources familiar with the matter, a sale process for approximately 20% of the voting shares could begin in the coming weeks. The potential proceeds from this transaction are estimated to be between £200 million ($271 million) and £400 million. Lazard Inc., a financial advisory firm, is assisting Forester de Rothschild in this process. The sale is expected to attract high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and strategic investors interested in premium media assets.

Forester de Rothschild’s decision to review her stake is part of a broader strategy to reshape her investment portfolio. This comes after the last significant ownership change in 2015, when Pearson Plc sold most of its half stake to Italy’s Agnelli family through its Exor NV investment firm. Exor NV then became the largest investor, holding a 43.4% stake in the company.

While no final decision has been made, the size and details of the divestment could still evolve. Representatives from the Eranda Rothschild Foundation, where Forester de Rothschild serves as a trustee, have not commented on the matter. Similarly, she has not responded to LinkedIn messages seeking further information. Lazard and the Economist Group have also declined to provide comments.

Overview of The Economist Group

The Economist Group encompasses several key entities, including the magazine, website, app, and podcasts. It also includes the Economist Intelligence Unit, which provides research on macroeconomic and geopolitical topics, and Economist Impact, which organizes events and policy research.

With a global workforce of 1,540 employees across 26 countries, the group reported revenue of £369 million and an operating profit of about £48 million in the fiscal year ending March 31. Subscription numbers increased by 3% year-on-year, reaching 1.25 million, with digital subscriptions accounting for 85% of new sign-ups.

Background on Lynn Forester de Rothschild

Lynn Forester de Rothschild founded FirstMark Communications during the late 1990s tech boom. She married the late Evelyn de Rothschild in 2000, and together they established E.L. Rothschild LLC, a family office with investments in private companies, public markets, and real estate. A prominent business leader, she recently stepped down from the board of Estee Lauder Cos. after 25 years and founded the Council for Inclusive Capitalism.

Evelyn de Rothschild, who passed away in 2022, was instrumental in merging the family's London investment bank with its French counterpart. This move was intended to maintain competitiveness against larger multinational banks. However, earlier this year, reports surfaced alleging that Evelyn de Rothschild had been accused of sexually assaulting several women over three decades before his death.

Shareholding Structure

The Economist’s share capital is divided into ordinary shares, “A” special shares, “B” special shares, and trust shares. Ordinary shares are primarily held by current and former employees and wealthy business dynasties, including Exor, which owns all the B shares.

There are more than 100 holders of the “A” special shares, including long-standing family holdings and employees. According to the 2025 annual report, the Rothschild family holds 26.7% of the issued share capital. Other notable shareholders include the Cadbury family and the Schroder banking dynasty.

No single individual or group can hold more than half the value of the dividend rights of the company. Trust shares are held by trustees, whose approval is required for certain corporate activities, ensuring editorial independence.

John Micklethwait, the current editor-in-chief of DISCOVER TRENDSNews and former editor-in-chief of the Economist, still owns shares in the Economist Group. He was not involved in the reporting or editing of this story.