Martyn Arbib


Sir Martyn Arbib is a British businessman who led the Perpetual fund management company during the late 20th century, unusually based in Henley-on-Thames, rather than London.

Early life

Born into a Jewish family, Arbib attended Felsted School, Essex.

Career

He sold Perpetual to the fund manager AMVESCAP in 2001 for more than £1 billion, receiving £113m together with AMVESCAP shares worth £300m, and the company became known as Invesco Perpetual. He is a director of the Perpetual Japanese Investment Trust plc.
In January 2008, Swindon Town Holdings Limited, where Arbib is an investor but not a director, took control of Swindon Town FC.

Philanthropy

The Arbib Foundation, established in 1987, sponsors schools in Slough, Berkshire which include the Langley Academy.
Arbib was a major benefactor in the establishment of the River and Rowing Museum at Henley, which opened in 1998. He was knighted in 2003 for services to charities, especially in education.

Political activity

Arbib is a Conservative Party donor. During the 2019 United Kingdom general election, he donated £10,000 to the central party and £5,000 each to Conservative candidates Danny Kruger and Dominic Raab.

Personal life

In his spare time, Arbib is interested in horse racing. His horse Snurge won the St. Leger Stakes in 1990. As well as Henley, he also has a home in Barbados.
His daughter Annabel is married to businessman Paddy Nicoll. Her father bought Culham Court for her in 1997 for £12 million, and in 2006, the Swiss-born British financier Urs Schwarzenbach bought it for £35 million, £10 million above the asking price.