Archive · 15 Sep 2025
Economist Group Stake Sale Explored by Lynn Forester de Rothschild
The owner of a part of the famous magazine The Economist, Lynn Forester de Rothschild, is thinking about selling some of her shares.
She's working with an advisor to find buyers, which could be wealthy individuals or companies.
The sale could be for about 20% of her shares and could be worth a lot of money.
This would be the first big change in ownership in about 10 years.
The Economist includes the magazine, website, app, and podcasts.
The magazine has a large staff and many readers around the world, with digital subscriptions being popular.
The Rothschild family and other wealthy families have owned the company for a long time.
Lynn Forester de Rothschild is exploring a sale of a significant minority stake in The Economist Group.
A sale process could start in the coming weeks for approximately 20% of voting shares.
The sale could fetch between £200 million and £400 million.
Lazard Inc. is advising Forester de Rothschild on the sale.
The Economist Group has a large staff and generates significant revenue from subscriptions.
- Who
- Lynn Forester de Rothschild, current owner of a stake in The Economist Group
- What
- Is exploring the sale of a significant minority stake in The Economist Group.
- When
- The sale process could begin in the coming weeks.
- Where
- N/A
- Why
- As part of a longer-term reshaping of her investment portfolio.
- Stakeholder
- Lynn Forester de Rothschild
- Stake being considered
- Around 20% of voting shares
- Potential Sale Value
- £200 million to £400 million ($271 million)
- Adviser
- Lazard Inc.
- Economist Group Revenue (2025)
- £369 million
- Economist Group Staff
- 1,540 in 26 countries
- Digital Subscription Growth
- 85% of new starts
- Shareholders
- Exor (43.4%) and Rothschild Family (26.7%)