Business Leaders

Richard Livingstone: Age, Career, Net Worth and Property Empire

Meet the British billionaire who built London & Regional Properties with his brother Ian, from early London investments to luxury hotels and international real estate.

Introduction

Richard Livingstone is a British billionaire property investor. He co-founded London & Regional Properties in 1987 with his older brother, Ian Livingstone.

His business story began in London. Small property deals gradually became much bigger investments. The brothers later built a business covering commercial buildings, hotels, residential properties and international developments.

Richard has kept a low public profile. He rarely gives interviews or discusses his private life.

Still, his business record tells plenty. From his early training as a chartered surveyor to his move to Monaco, he has spent decades working in property investment.

Quick Facts About Richard Livingstone

Detail Information
Full Name Richard John Livingstone
Known As Richard Livingstone
Date of Birth November 1964
Age 61 years (October 2026)
Birthplace London, England
Nationality British
Profession Property Investor, Businessman
Education St Paul’s School, London
Professional Training Chartered Surveyor
Famous For Co-founding London & Regional Properties
Company Founded 1987
Brother Ian Malcolm Livingstone
Former Wife Claire Burns
Father’s Profession Dentist
Residence Monaco
Main Business Real Estate and Property Investment
Combined Net Worth With Brother £5.686 billion (2026 estimate)

Early Life and Family Background

Richard Livingstone was born in November 1964. He grew up in Ealing, West London.

His family had professional roots. His father worked as a dentist.

Richard grew up alongside his older brother, Ian. Both would later become wealthy British property investors.

Their early lives were fairly ordinary. Neither brother started his career as a major property developer.

Their professional choices were quite different.

Ian trained as an optometrist. Richard chose a career in surveying.

That choice proved useful later.

Property valuation became Richard’s professional strength. His training gave him knowledge of buildings, property markets and commercial investment.

The brothers eventually combined their business interests. This partnership became the base of their future fortune.

Education and Professional Training

Richard attended St Paul’s School in Barnes, London.

It is a well-known independent school. His older brother studied there too.

After finishing school, Richard trained as a chartered surveyor.

Surveying involves understanding property values. It also requires knowledge of buildings, land and commercial markets.

These skills suited his future career.

He could assess property opportunities professionally. That helped him recognise investments during difficult market conditions.

His exact university and degree details have not been reliably established in the available public reporting.

Career Beginnings

Richard started his professional journey in property.

His brother initially followed another path. In 1989, Ian opened an optical shop called Optika in Hampstead.

The retail business grew quickly.

In 1992, the brothers’ business acquired the David Clulow optical retail chain.

By 1996, the operation had approximately 40 outlets. Contemporary reporting valued the business at around £20 million.

Richard focused heavily on property opportunities.

London’s property market faced difficult conditions during the early 1990s. Many buildings and flats were available at reduced prices.

Richard began buying and selling property.

Some deals were relatively small. But the brothers continued expanding their investments.

Their early transactions helped them build experience and capital.

Soon, property became their main business.

Founding London & Regional Properties

Richard and Ian founded London & Regional Properties in 1987.

The company became known as L+R.

It began as a London-based investment business. Its early focus included regional and income-producing commercial property.

The brothers looked for buildings with investment potential.

They bought properties, managed assets and developed a much larger portfolio over time.

Between 1991 and 1994, they established numerous companies to acquire commercial property in central London.

The business kept growing.

Offices became one area of investment. Hotels and residential buildings followed.

Eventually, L+R expanded outside Britain.

Today, the company operates as a privately owned international real estate investment and management business.

Its history remains closely linked to both founders.

Building a Major Property Business

Richard’s property career developed over decades.

The brothers bought assets during market downturns. They also invested in buildings offering long-term rental income.

Commercial property formed their early base.

Later, they developed interests in luxury hotels, residential buildings, leisure facilities and large development projects.

Some investments were held for years. Others were sold after gaining value.

Their company grew across different markets.

This helped spread investment activity beyond one city or type of property.

The brothers also worked with established hospitality operators.

In some cases, their businesses owned the hotel buildings while separate companies operated the hotels.

This distinction matters.

Owning a hotel property does not always mean running its daily operations.

Major Property and Hotel Investments

Richard and Ian have been associated with several well-known property investments.

Cliveden House

Cliveden House is a historic luxury hotel in Berkshire, England.

The brothers acquired the property in 2012.

The reported purchase price was approximately £30 million.

The hotel became a prominent addition to their hospitality portfolio.

It is known for its historic building and country estate.

Fairmont Monte Carlo

Fairmont Monte Carlo is another notable investment.

The brothers acquired the Monaco hotel in 2007.

It sits beside the Mediterranean Sea. Its location also offers views of the famous Monaco Grand Prix hairpin bend.

The property later underwent extensive refurbishment.

A major renovation programme was completed in 2024, according to Monaco Tribune.

London Hilton on Park Lane

The London Hilton on Park Lane has also been associated with the brothers’ property business.

The hotel is located in Mayfair, London.

It is among the best-known luxury hotels connected with their investment history.

International Property Projects

The business has worked across several international markets.

These include investments in Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean.

The brothers have also been connected with the large Panamá Pacífico development.

That project combines residential, commercial and other property uses.

Their investment activities show how far the business expanded from its early London deals.

Investments Outside Traditional Property

Richard’s business interests extend beyond buildings.

The brothers also invested in Evolution, a Swedish-listed gaming technology company.

Evolution supplies technology and services for online casino operators.

This investment attracted major attention in 2020.

The Evening Standard reported that the brothers made approximately £700 million in gains connected to Evolution and NetEnt.

The figure referred to their investment position.

It was not Richard’s personal annual income.

The investment showed that the brothers were willing to put money into businesses outside their traditional property portfolio.

Richard Livingstone’s Business Role

Richard has held numerous company directorships.

Official Companies House records confirm his involvement in several London & Regional entities.

He became a director of London and Regional Properties Limited on 19 June 2009.

He also joined several group companies as a director on 1 June 2018.

These included:

  • London and Regional Group Properties Ltd
  • London and Regional Group Hotels Ltd
  • London and Regional Group Property Holdings Ltd

His corporate record covers many property-related companies.

Companies House also identifies Richard as a person with significant control in London and Regional Group Properties Ltd.

The public filing records ownership of more than 25%, but not more than 50%, of shares and voting rights in that particular company.

This does not establish his exact ownership percentage across the entire business group.

Richard Livingstone Net Worth in 2026

Richard is one of Britain’s wealthy property investors.

His fortune is usually reported alongside his brother’s wealth.

The Sunday Times Rich List 2026 placed Ian and Richard Livingstone at number 32.

Their combined wealth was estimated at £5.686 billion.

This figure covers both brothers.

It should not be treated as Richard’s individual net worth.

The brothers have interests in private businesses, property investments and other assets.

Their exact personal ownership values are not fully available to the public.

Wealth estimates can also change.

Property prices, company valuations and investment markets all affect reported fortunes.

Richard Livingstone’s Wife and Marriage

Richard married Claire Burns in 1997.

She is the daughter of property businessman John Burns.

John Burns is associated with the British property industry and Derwent London.

Richard and Claire later divorced.

Their marriage was reported by the Evening Standard and Monaco Tribune.

Richard does not regularly discuss his personal relationships in public.

Reliable reporting does not establish his current marital status.

Relationship With Brother Ian Livingstone

Ian Livingstone is Richard’s older brother.

He was born in May 1962.

The brothers have worked together for decades.

Their careers started in different professions. Ian trained in optometry, while Richard studied surveying.

Yet their commercial interests soon came together.

The optical retail business was an early venture.

Property later became the main source of their business wealth.

They founded L+R together in 1987.

Both have remained closely associated with the company.

Their business partnership is one of the best-documented parts of Richard’s career.

Moving to Monaco

Richard and Ian moved to Monaco in 2025.

Monaco Tribune reported their relocation on 28 May 2025.

The publication described their move as taking place during spring 2025.

Their decision received attention in British business reporting.

At the time, the United Kingdom had introduced changes affecting the tax treatment of certain wealthy residents.

Monaco is also known for attracting wealthy international business owners.

However, Richard has not publicly confirmed that tax changes were his personal reason for relocating.

UK Companies House records now list Monaco as his country of residence.

The brothers already had business connections there.

Their ownership of Fairmont Monte Carlo dates back to 2007.

Why Richard Livingstone Keeps a Private Profile

Richard is not a regular media personality.

He rarely appears in interviews. His brother also avoids extensive public attention.

This makes their business activities easier to document than their private lives.

Company records reveal directorships and ownership interests.

Business reporting covers investments, major acquisitions and financial estimates.

But Richard shares little publicly about everyday life.

Much of his reputation comes from property transactions rather than public appearances.

Career Timeline

Year Career Event
1964 Born in November
1980s Trained as a chartered surveyor
1987 Co-founded London & Regional Properties
1989 Ian opened Optika in Hampstead
1992 Brothers’ business acquired David Clulow
1990s Expanded London property investments
1997 Married Claire Burns
2007 Fairmont Monte Carlo acquired
2009 Appointed director of London and Regional Properties Limited
2012 Brothers acquired Cliveden House
2018 Became director of several L+R group companies
2020 Major gains reported from Evolution investment
2025 Relocated to Monaco
2026 Joint fortune estimated at £5.686 billion

Final Thought

Richard Livingstone has built a long career in property.

He started with surveying knowledge. Then came smaller London investments.

Those investments eventually became a large international business.

His partnership with Ian remains central to that story.

Together, the brothers built London & Regional Properties into a major privately owned investment group.

Richard still maintains a quiet public presence.

His company records, property transactions and investment history provide the clearest picture of his professional life.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Richard Livingstone?

Richard Livingstone is a British billionaire property investor. He co-founded London & Regional Properties with his brother Ian in 1987.

2. How old is Richard Livingstone?

He is 61 years old in October 2026. Companies House confirms his birth month as November 1964.

3. When was Richard Livingstone born?

He was born in November 1964. His exact birth day is not established by the official public record.

4. What is Richard Livingstone’s net worth?

His combined wealth with brother Ian was estimated at £5.686 billion in the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List.

5. Who is Richard Livingstone’s brother?

His brother is Ian Malcolm Livingstone. They founded London & Regional Properties together.

6. Who was Richard Livingstone’s wife?

He married Claire Burns in 1997. They later divorced.

7. Where did Richard Livingstone study?

He attended St Paul’s School in London. He later trained as a chartered surveyor.

8. Where does Richard Livingstone live?

He lives in Monaco, according to UK Companies House records and reporting published in 2025.

9. What business does Richard Livingstone own?

He co-founded London & Regional Properties, a privately owned international real estate investment and management group.

10. Why is Richard Livingstone famous?

He is known for building a substantial international property business with his brother, including investments in commercial buildings and luxury hotels.

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