Warren Stephens
Warren Amerine Stephens | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 18, 1957 Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, diplomat |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Known for | Chairman, president, and CEO of Stephens Inc.; United States ambassador to the United Kingdom |
Warren Amerine Stephens (born February 18, 1957) is an American businessman and diplomat currently appointed as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom during President Donald Trump’s second term. He holds the positions of chairman, president, and CEO at Stephens Inc., a privately owned investment banking firm.
On December 2, 2024, President-elect Trump put forward Stephens as the nominee for ambassador to the UK. The U.S. Senate approved his appointment with a 59–39 vote. He officially took the oath of office on April 30, 2025, and formally presented his credentials on May 21, 2025.
Early life and education
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Stephens is the son of Mary Amerine Stephens and Jackson T. Stephens. His father and uncle were the founders of Stephens Inc., an investment banking company.
Stephens completed his secondary education at Trinity Presbyterian High School in Montgomery, Alabama, graduating in 1975. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Washington and Lee University in 1979, followed by a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University in 1981.
Career
Stephens began his career at Stephens Inc., the family-owned investment bank based in Little Rock, which employed 139 staff members and operated similarly to a classic British merchant bank by investing both family and corporate capital into diverse enterprises. The firm gained recognition for managing the initial public offering of Wal-Mart Stores in 1970.
Starting as a corporate finance associate with a focus on oil and gas sectors, he advanced to lead the department in 1983, concentrating on mergers and acquisitions. On February 18, 1986, he was named president and CEO of Stephens Inc.
In 1990, Stephens acted as senior advisor for Tyson Foods during its purchase of Holly Farms. He is only the third individual to serve as chairman, president, and CEO since the company's inception in 1933. By 2006, he had purchased full ownership of Stephens Inc., acquiring shares from other family members.
Stephens also holds a position on the board of directors at Dillard's. In January 2025, he declared his intention to resign as CEO to focus on his upcoming responsibilities as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom. His sons, Miles and John Stephens, were appointed co-CEOs, continuing the family's third generation leadership within the firm.
Political involvement and government service
As a Republican contributor, Stephens has supported candidates including Bob Dole (1996), Steve Forbes (1999), Mike Huckabee, and served as a bundler for Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign. He has expressed criticism toward Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. During the 2016 presidential race, both Stephens and his brother Jackson were significant financial supporters of efforts opposing Donald Trump.
In 2020, he donated more than $3 million to super PACs backing Trump. For the 2024 Republican primaries, Stephens provided financial backing to Asa Hutchinson and Nikki Haley and contributed to MAGA Inc., a super PAC aligned with Trump’s agenda.
President-elect Trump nominated Stephens as ambassador to the UK on December 2, 2024. Following submission of his nomination to the Senate on February 12, 2025, he was confirmed by a vote of 59–39 on April 29 and subsequently presented his credentials to King Charles III on May 21. Early in 2025, Stephens made an additional $1 million donation to MAGA Inc., underscoring his sustained political engagement.
Philanthropy
Stephens held a position on the board of trustees at his alma mater, Washington and Lee University. Alongside his wife Harriet, he has contributed to various organizations, with significant support directed toward the Episcopal Collegiate School and the Arkansas Arts Center located in Little Rock.