Rupert Soames

Rupert Christopher Soames, OBE, was born on 18 May 1959 in Croydon, United Kingdom. He is a British businessman known for his leadership roles within the private sector and industry associations. Soames served as the chief executive of Serco from 2014 until 2023 and was appointed chair of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in early 2024.

Family Background:

Soames comes from a prominent British family with notable historical connections. He is a grandson of Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister. His parents are Christopher Soames and Mary Soames. His family relationships include being a nephew of Duncan Sandys, who served as Defence Secretary, and of Diana Churchill. Through his maternal lineage, he is related to journalist Randolph Churchill and actress and dancer Sarah Churchill. Additionally, Soames is connected to the founders of the Scout movement—1st Baron Baden-Powell and the Baroness Baden-Powell—being their great-nephew.

Education:

Soames attended St Aubyns School in Rottingdean, East Sussex. In 2025, he publicly disclosed that he had been sexually abused by a master at this school during his childhood. He continued his education at Eton College and subsequently studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at Worcester College, Oxford. During his time at Oxford, he was active as a DJ at the Annabel's nightclub in London, was a member of the Bullingdon Club, served as President of the Oxford Union, and was featured in a 1981 Sunday Times article where he described himself as getting "hog-whimperingly drunk."

Early Career:

Upon graduating from Oxford, Soames was offered a position at General Electric Company (GEC) by managing director Arnold Weinstock. He remained with GEC for approximately 15 years, working within the avionics and computing divisions. He eventually became managing director of Avery Berkel, overseeing operations across the UK, India, Asia, and Africa.

Subsequent Career Highlights:

In 1997, Soames joined Misys, a software company, as chief executive of its Midas-Kapiti division. He was promoted to chief executive of the Banking and Securities Division in June 2000. Following a disagreement with Misys founder Kevin Lomax, Soames departed Misys and in June 2003 was appointed chief executive of Aggreko, a power rental company, succeeding Philip Harrower. He held this position until 2014.

Honors and Public Statements:

In the 2010 New Year Honours, Soames was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). In a speech at the Scottish Parliament in December 2010, he warned about the imminent closure of major power stations in the UK and the risks related to energy security.

Recent Roles:

In December 2023, it was announced that Soames would assume the role of President of the CBI, with the position effective in early 2024.

Personal Life:

Soames married Camilla Dunne, daughter of Sir Thomas Dunne, in 1988. They have three children: Arthur, Daisy, and Jack. Daisy Soames is known to be a god-daughter of Diana, Princess of Wales, and works as a horse safari guide in Kenya. Jack Soames has served as a Page of Honour. His brother is Nicholas Soames, Baron Soames of Fletching, a former Member of Parliament.

Disclosure of Childhood Abuse:

On 21 March 2025, Soames publicly spoke about the sexual abuse he endured at St. Aubyn's School during the 1960s, with allegations involving two masters with an "unhealthy appetite for young boys," starting from approximately age eight or nine. He confirmed that the abuse was confronted, resulting in one of the schoolmasters being imprisoned.