Tony Rudd (stockbroker)

Tony Rudd
Born	(1924-04-24) April 24, 1924 Wandsworth, London, England
Died	May 29, 2017(2017-05-29) (aged 93)
Occupation(s)	Stockbroker, venture capitalist, journalist
Known for	Achievements in technology start-ups, founder of Rowe Rudd stockbroking firm

Riley Anthony Winton Rudd (24 April 1924 – 29 May 2017) was an English stockbroker known for his achievements in technology start-ups, although his business methods attracted criticism from the Department of Trade and Industry. Among his children are the politician Amber Rudd and public relations specialist Roland Rudd.

Early life

Born on 24 April 1924 in Wandsworth, London, Tony Rudd was the son of businessman Frederick Rudd and a Miss Maguire, but was later brought up by Frederick’s former wife, Grace Winton Rudd (née Brown). He attended Blundell's School before studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at University College, Oxford. His education was interrupted by the Second World War, during which he served as a navigator in a Polish squadron within the Royal Air Force. Piloting Mosquitos, he parachuted over Germany following a friendly fire incident involving a United States aircraft. His wartime experiences were later recounted in his 1990 memoir One Boy's War. After the conflict, he resumed and completed his degree at Oxford.

Career

Rudd began his professional journey in 1949 at the Bank of England, becoming its representative in Washington by 1952. Three years later, he transitioned into journalism with the Manchester Guardian, where he reported on the Suez Crisis before moving onto the city desk.

In 1967, he established the stockbroking firm Rowe Rudd located in London Wall, introducing one of the earliest expansive open-plan trading room environments. The firm employed notable figures such as Michael Spencer, founder of Icap, Brian Griffiths, who served as Margaret Thatcher’s policy chief, and Tony "the animal" Parnes—later implicated in the Guinness scandal.

The novelist Jeffrey Archer counted among his clients and drew inspiration for his 1976 book Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less from this association. Rudd played a key role in brokering deals for technology companies including Racal Electronics, Rotork, and Plessey. Due to blindness, he retired from stockbroking in 1981. The following year, Rowe Rudd acquired the merchant firm David Sassoon & Co. for approximately £2 million, allowing it to operate autonomously.

Shifting focus to venture capital, Rudd’s business conduct came under investigation by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and drew unfavorable attention from Private Eye. In 1988, the DTI declared him unsuitable to hold any company directorships. Despite this ruling, his continued participation in the family investment company—alongside his daughter Amber serving as director from age 24—became a subject of media interest during her political career.

Personal life

In 1952, Rudd married Ethne Etain FitzGerald, an Oxford history graduate and daughter of Maurice Pembroke Fitzgerald QC—a descendant of judge and politician John FitzGerald, Baron FitzGerald—and Christine Fitzgerald (née Bradhurst).

Their children included British home secretary Amber Rudd and public relations executive Roland Rudd, as well as Amanda and Melissa.

Rudd owned a townhouse in Kensington and Chalcot House near Bath, where he entertained prominent political and business personalities such as Peter Walker, Arnold Weinstock, and Alan Clark. When Amber worked as "aristocracy co-ordinator" on Four Weddings and a Funeral, she employed her parents as extras; Tony appeared in wedding scenes wearing his own morning suit to help minimize production expenses.

Death

Tony Rudd passed away on 29 May 2017. Soon after his passing, his daughter Amber took part in a televised debate representing the Conservative Party during the June 2017 UK General Election. Her brother Roland remarked, "Our parents firmly believed in moving forward. He would have supported her participation in the debate."

Selected publications

• One boy's war. Quartet, London, 1990.