Early Life
Simon Reuben was born in Bombay, India, in 1944, to a Baghdadi Jewish family. He moved to London with his mother after his parents separated and attended local state schools in Islington. While he briefly studied at Sir John Cass College, he did not complete a degree, instead focusing on practical business experiences.
Rise to Success
Reuben's early career involved buying and selling carpets, including acquiring England's oldest carpet company. This experience was a stepping stone to the metals industry. Alongside his brother David, he co-founded the Trans-World Group, which became a major player in Russian aluminum tolling during the 1990s, eventually controlling a significant portion of the world's aluminum production. The brothers later shifted their focus to real estate, financial services, and private equity.
Key Business Strategies
The Reuben Brothers' approach emphasizes value creation over time, low-leverage deals, and identifying location-based opportunities in rising global markets. Their real estate empire includes significant holdings in London, such as Millbank Tower, and extends globally to include luxury hotels and leisure ventures. Strategic investments in undervalued assets and a long-term vision are hallmarks of their investment strategy. They are known for their discreet approach to business, preferring private equity, real estate, and infrastructure projects.
Philanthropy
Simon Reuben and his brother, David, are active philanthropists through the Reuben Foundation. Established in 2002, the foundation focuses on healthcare, education, and community projects. It has supported hospitals, funded youth programs, scholarships, and food banks. In 2025, the Foundation announced a $130 million donation supporting international educational and healthcare causes.