Leonie Schroder
Leonie Schroder | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1974 |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Heiress, board member |
| Known for | Member of the Schroders board of directors |
Leonie Kira Emma Schroder (born 1974) is a British billionaire heiress and the daughter of the late Bruno Schroder, a member of the Schroders family. After his passing in March 2019, she took over his position on the company's board of directors.
Early life
Leonie Schroder, born in 1974, is the sole offspring of Bruno Schroder and his first spouse, Patricia "Piffa" Holt. She completed her higher education at the University of St Andrews.
Career
Schroder has held directorship roles within the Schroder Charity Trust, the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, and several organizations connected to Dunlossit, her family’s estate located on the Isle of Islay off Scotland’s west coast.
Following her father’s death in March 2019, Schroders appointed her to their board. This decision was distinctive because, unlike earlier family members who served as directors with substantial experience within Schroders or large financial institutions, she had no previous involvement in the company or comparable financial services firms.
In January 2020, Schroder and her relatives were ranked third among the United Kingdom’s top 50 taxpayers, with an annual tax contribution amounting to £116.8 million against their £4 billion fortune. By May 2020, her net worth was assessed at approximately £4.0 billion.
Personal life
Leonie married Nicholas Francis Fane, an Old Etonian, in Westminster, London in 1997. The couple had three children before divorcing in 2014. Fane passed away unexpectedly on 19 December 2014 at age 57; his funeral took place on 8 January 2015 at St. Nicholas Church in Steventon, Hampshire. He was known as an avid sportsman and was featured in The Field magazine’s "50 top shots" list in 2008.
In December 2000, they acquired the 1,200-acre Hurstbourne Park estate in Whitchurch, Hampshire—previously owned by Lord Portsmouth—from the Donner family. The following year, plans were submitted to demolish the remnants of the original 19th-century house and construct a new residence while preserving the listed stable block and walled garden. Their development approach included establishing a semi-wild shooting estate. The park and garden are designated as grade II listed.