Stephen Rubin

Robert Stephen Rubin (born December 1937) is a British billionaire businessman. He is the chairman, and co-owner (alongside members of his family) of Pentland Group, the holding company for a number of sporting goods companies, based in Finchley, north London. As of May 2021, his net worth was estimated at £6.4 billion.

Early life Robert Stephen Rubin was born in December 1937. After attending Canford School in Dorset, Rubin graduated from University College London in 1958 with a degree in law, with the intention of becoming a barrister.

Career After he unsuccessfully stood for the House of Commons at Streatham as a Liberal Party parliamentary candidate in 1959, aged 21, he joined the Liverpool Shoe Company, founded by his parents, Berko and Minnie Rubin, immigrants from eastern Europe. He was joint managing director with his father for 10 years until his father's death in 1969, when he took the role of chairman. owning a number of brands including Berghaus, Brasher, Ellesse, Hunter, Mitre and Speedo, amongst others. It is also the majority owner of JD Sports Fashion plc. Its success largely came from an investment in August 1981, acquiring 55% of Reebok for 77,500. By 1983/84, Reebok accounted for 70% of Pentland's turnover. Pentland's shares rose from 55p at the start of 1984 to 3 at the end of the year and up to 10 in 1985, while profits rose from 1 million in 1983 to 12.9 million in 1985. Rubin then sold off Pentland's stake in Reebok for 770m in 1991. The following year he was named second on the same list, having paid £143.9m in tax.

In February 2026, Stephen Rubin was listed on the Sunday Times Tax list with an estimated £325.6 million.

Honours and awards Rubin was appointed OBE in the 2003 New Year's Honours List for services to business and human rights. The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame honoured him with the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. On 21 July 2010, Rubin was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Art (DArt) by Nottingham Trent University.

Personal life Rubin is married to Angela with four children and lives in London.

According to the Sunday Times Rich List in 2025, Rubin and his family have a net worth of £6.66 billion.