Philip Richards
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
Founder & President
London, GB
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
THE MARQUE
In Their Own Right
Biography
Philip Richards is Founder & President of RAB Capital Limited, and a dedicated philanthropist.
In 1999 Richards and former colleague Michael Alen-Buckley founded RAB Capital, RAB standing for Richards Alen-Buckley. Five years later, the company was the first hedge fund manager to be listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) with funds under management of over a billion dollars.
Today RAB Capital is a private investment company with a focus on investments in natural resources, renewables, life sciences, green technologies and real estate developments.
After graduating from the University of Oxford with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Philip attended Sandhurst and then joined the Royal Green Jackets, spending several formative years in the British Army. He rose to the rank of Captain but left to join James Capel, one of the UK’s oldest stockbroking firms, to focus on European stock markets.
Following a move to Smith New Court and the firm’s subsequent takeover by Merrill Lynch, Philip was appointed Managing Director of European research, then of Investment Banking at Merrill Lynch, at the time one of the largest investment firms in the world. He left the company in 1988 to set up RAB Capital.
A committed Christian and philanthropist, Philip donates much of his wealth to charity and has helped to finance the construction of a Christian youth centre and new church near to his previous home in Kent.
The Record
Background
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1998 — Present
Founder & President
RAB Capital Limited
RAB Capital is a private investment company targeting investments in small listed and private companies and seeking real estate development opportunities.
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Present
Captain
Royal Green Jackets
The Royal Green Jackets was an infantry regiment of the British Army formed in 1966. In 2007 the Regiment amalgamated with others to form ‘The Rifles’.
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1991 — 1995
Executive Director
Smith New Court
Smith New Court was a UK-based brokerage firm acquired by Merrill Lynch in 1995.
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1995 — 1999
Managing Director of Investment Banking
Merrill Lynch
Merrill Lynch is now the investment and financial wealth management arm of the Bank of America, and known simply as Merrill.
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1991
Stockbroker
James Capel & Co
James Capel & Co was established in the 1770s and became one of the oldest stockbrokers in Britain.
Formative Years
Education
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Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford
Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE)
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Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
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King's College Taunton
Areas Of Focus