Newspaper Reader.
Apr 13, 2026
Editor: The Economist enters The Confessional?
Who owns The Economist?
The Economist is part of The Economist Group, a private company with a special ownership structure designed to preserve editorial independence. Its shareholders date back more than a century, and include great names in British business, such as the Sainsburys, Cadburys and Schroders. Other shareholders today include funds owned by the Agnelli and Rothschild families. Many staff of The Economist Group also own shares, which are privately traded twice a year.
The company’s constitution does not permit any individual or group to gain a majority shareholding, and no shareholder can exercise more than 20% of voting rights. The editor is appointed by trustees, who are independent of commercial, political and proprietorial influences. This structure ensures that The Economist can take an independent view of the world—free to challenge conventional thinking and concentrations of power. Its role is to inform, not to serve vested interests.
If you’re not already a subscriber, explore our subscription offers, which include Digital only, a Digital + Print bundle or Economist Podcasts+. The Economist provides clarity in a complex world.
Jan 29, 2026
The Economist is owned by The Economist Group, a private company with a specialized structure to ensure editorial independence. The largest shareholder is Exor N.V. (the Agnelli family’s investment firm) with 43.4%, followed by other private investors including the Cadbury and Schroder families. Canadian businessman Stephen J.R. Smith acquired a major 26.9% stake in March 2026.
Wikipedia +3
Key Ownership and Structure Details:
- Exor N.V.: Led by John Elkann, this investment firm became the largest shareholder after buying a 50% stake from Pearson in 2015.
- Rothschild Stake: The Rothschild family previously held a major stake, which has been in the process of being sold as of late 2025.
- Other Shareholders: Shares are held by various family interests (Cadbury, Schroder) and staff.
- Independent Trustees: The editorial independence is safeguarded by a board of trustees, who appoint the editor.
- Ownership Rules: The constitution prevents any single individual or group from holding a majority, and no single shareholder can hold more than 20% of the voting rights.
Wikipedia is an unrealisble source of ‘information’ , just like Zanny Minton Beddoes and her cadre of Oxbridger Males! This reader of The Economist all most longs for the days of John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge? Although their ‘The Right Nation: Conservative Power in America’ was a long apologetic for Donald H. Rumsfeld & ‘Turd Blossom’ Karl Rove!
Yet there are these stake holders of The Economist : Exor N.V. (the Agnelli family’s investment firm), the Cadbury and Schroder families, Canadian businessman Stephen J.R. Smith acquired a major 26.9% stake in March 2026. Name this collection of invertors by there proper name oligarchy
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