Aston Martin’s ownership story is one of survival and constant change. The British luxury carmaker has weathered seven bankruptcies since 1913, and today’s ownership structure tells that story. Four major shareholders now control 85.49% of Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc. Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli leads with 27.67%, followed by Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll at 24.56%, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund with 18.04%, and Chinese automotive giant Geely’s chairman Li Shufu holding 15.22%.
The ownership landscape has shifted significantly in recent years. Lawrence Stroll started with a 16.7% stake in January 2020 and has since become executive chairman. His influence extends beyond the car company—he also oversees the Formula 1 team and recently sold a minority stake in the racing operation valued at approximately $1.2 billion.
Under Stroll’s leadership, Aston Martin has formed strategic partnerships that will shape its future. The collaboration with Lucid to develop ultra-luxury high-performance electric vehicles launches in 2025, marking a critical step toward electrification.
The numbers paint a picture of both challenge and opportunity. Aston Martin sold 6,400 cars in 2022 while continuing to invest heavily in new models. The company maintains a global presence with vehicles sold in over 50 countries and employs 2,740 people worldwide.
If you want to understand how these powerful stakeholders are positioning this prestigious brand for the future, you’ll find the complete ownership story ahead. We’ll walk through Aston Martin’s turbulent ownership history, examine the current shareholder dynamics, and explore how these changes are shaping the company’s direction.
Who currently owns Aston Martin in 2025?
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc operates with a concentrated ownership structure that reflects both public trading and strategic control. Four major investors dominate the company, controlling over 54% of shares. The luxury automaker trades on the London Stock Exchange, but its shareholder composition has shifted significantly throughout 2024 and into 2025.
Major shareholders and their stakes
Lawrence Stroll’s Yew Tree Consortium holds the largest position at approximately 27.67% of voting rights. The Canadian billionaire has built this stake methodically since his initial rescue investment in 2020.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund follows as the second-largest shareholder, increasing its stake to 20.5% in November 2023. This move positioned the sovereign wealth fund ahead of other major investors and signals strategic interest in luxury automotive assets.
Chinese automotive giant Geely represents the third-largest stakeholder, boosting ownership to 17% in May 2023 after investing roughly $290 million. Mercedes-Benz Group maintains an 8.9% stake, preserving the strategic technology partnership that began in 2013.
Lawrence Stroll’s role and influence
Stroll’s influence extends far beyond his shareholding percentage. He serves as Executive Chairman of Aston Martin, a role he assumed after replacing Penny Hughes following his initial £182 million investment in January 2020.
His control spans both corporate strategy and racing operations. Forbes estimates Stroll’s personal net worth at approximately $3.9 billion as of March 2024. Under his leadership, Aston Martin has prioritized technology partnerships, most notably the collaboration with Lucid Motors for electric vehicle development.
The Formula 1 connection adds another dimension to Stroll’s influence. He owns the Aston Martin racing team, creating synergies between the road car business and motorsport operations.
Public vs private ownership breakdown
The remaining ownership structure balances public access with strategic direction. Retail investors maintain approximately 10% ownership, while institutional investors hold 32.7% and individuals account for 30.2%.
This distribution allows Aston Martin to access capital markets while maintaining concentrated strategic control from major shareholders. Geographically, Saudi Arabian investors represent 21.1% of shareholders, followed by German investors at 8.4% and American investors at 6.6%.
The structure creates flexibility for future capital raising while keeping decision-making authority with committed stakeholders who understand the luxury automotive sector.
A brief history of Aston Martin ownership
Aston Martin’s ownership story reads like a business thriller. Seven bankruptcies over 110+ years tell you everything about this company’s resilience and the luxury car industry’s brutal economics.
Founding by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford
Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford started Bamford & Martin Ltd in 1913 at 16 Henniker Place in West Kensington. Their first car wasn’t even really theirs—a modified 1908 Isotta Fraschini fitted with a four-cylinder engine that first carried the Aston Martin name.
The partners built their first complete car in March 1915, nicknamed the Coal Scuttle. Then World War I hit. Production stopped completely.
After the war, they managed to build about 55 vehicles before the first bankruptcy struck in 1924. The pattern was set early.
David Brown and the Lagonda merger
Here’s where the story gets interesting. David Brown, a wealthy engineering magnate, spotted an anonymous newspaper advertisement in February 1947. He bought Aston Martin for £20,000.
Brown wasn’t done. He quickly acquired struggling Lagonda, mainly for its 2.6-liter W.O. Bentley-designed engine. Smart move. The merger created Aston Martin Lagonda Limited, with operations moved to Newport Pagnell.
Under Brown’s ownership, Aston Martin finally found its footing. The legendary “DB” series launched with the DB2 in 1950, followed by iconic models throughout the 1950s. Every car enthusiast knows those initials came from David Brown himself.
The good times didn’t last. Mounting debts forced Brown to sell in 1972 to a consortium called Company Developments.
Ford era and transition to private investors
Ford Motor Company bought a 75% stake in 1987, then full ownership in 1994. Ford placed Aston Martin within their Premier Automotive Group and invested heavily in manufacturing capabilities.
Even Ford couldn’t make the numbers work long-term. Financial troubles led to the sale in March 2007 for $848 million to a consortium led by Prodrive chairman David Richards, which included two Kuwaiti companies and American investment banker John Sinders.
IPO and public trading phase
The consortium decided to go public. Aston Martin announced IPO plans in August 2018 and launched on the London Stock Exchange on October 3, 2018, as Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc.
This marked the first public listing of a British carmaker in over three decades. Shares priced at 1900p but dropped nearly 8% on the first trading day.
That IPO set the stage for today’s complex ownership structure, where major investors now compete for control of this storied but financially challenging luxury brand.
Recent changes in Aston Martin ownership
The ownership picture has changed dramatically over the past two years. Major shareholders have been making strategic moves that signal their long-term commitment to the luxury carmaker.
Lawrence Stroll’s growing influence
Stroll isn’t slowing down. His Yew Tree Consortium proposed a £52.5 million investment in March 2025 to boost its stake to approximately 33% from 27.67%. Shareholders overwhelmingly supported the move, with 94.4% voting in favor in May 2025.
The Canadian billionaire has now invested around £600 million since 2020 and clearly sees opportunity where others might see risk. He believes Aston Martin is “severely undervalued” with its current stock market valuation of approximately £650 million.
More importantly, Stroll has hinted at potentially taking the company private. “Could it be something for the future? Potentially, yes. Never say never,” he stated. This suggests he’s thinking beyond short-term gains.
Saudi Arabia’s strategic positioning
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has positioned itself as a key player, raising its stake to 20.5% in November 2023. This move placed PIF ahead of Geely Chairman Li Shufu on the shareholder list.
The Saudi connection runs deeper than just shareholding. PIF is the main shareholder in Lucid Group, which received a 3.44% stake in Aston Martin through their technology partnership agreement. This creates an interconnected web of relationships that could benefit Aston Martin’s electric vehicle ambitions.
Geely’s board representation
Chinese automotive giant Geely doubled its stake to 17% in May 2023 through a £234 million investment. This made Geely the third-largest shareholder and earned the company a non-executive board seat plus an observer position.
Mercedes-Benz continues to hold approximately 9% of Aston Martin shares, maintaining its technology partnership while stepping back from increasing its stake as previously planned.
The Lucid partnership changes everything
The June 2023 technology partnership with Lucid Motors represents more than just another deal—it’s worth over $450 million and could define Aston Martin’s electric future. Lucid received a 3.7% stake in Aston Martin in exchange for providing electric powertrain technology.
This partnership supports Aston Martin’s commitment to launch its first pure electric model in 2025. The timeline is aggressive: all new models will include an electrified version by 2026, with the core range becoming fully electric by 2030.
The stakes are high, but the partnerships suggest major players believe in Aston Martin’s ability to compete in the luxury electric vehicle market.
What company owns Aston Martin today?
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc sits at the top of the corporate structure.
This London-based entity serves as the parent company for all Aston Martin operations worldwide. Created through the company’s IPO in October 2018, it trades on the London Stock Exchange under ticker symbol AML and holds a position in the FTSE 250 Index.
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc
The company operates from its global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England. The 55-acre facility was built on the former site of RAF Gaydon, giving the luxury carmaker a substantial operational base.
Financial performance tells the story of a company in transition. Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings generated £1.02 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2022, though it reported a net loss of £130 million. These numbers reflect the substantial investments the company continues to make in new models and technology partnerships.
Parent company structure and subsidiaries
Aston Martin Lagonda Group Limited functions as the key operational subsidiary under the main holding company. This structure traces back to 1947 when David Brown merged the two historic brands.
The parent company’s business extends beyond manufacturing luxury sports cars:
- Design and development of luxury sports cars and grand tourers
- Parts sales, vehicle servicing, and restoration operations
- Brand licensing and motorsport activities
- Engineering, sales, and marketing services
Aston Martin Racing and Aston Martin Works
Two specialized divisions handle distinct aspects of the Aston Martin legacy.
Aston Martin Racing manages the DBR9 program that competes in sports car races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The racing division operates in partnership with Prodrive. Lawrence Stroll’s involvement extends here too—he rebranded his Racing Point F1 team as Aston Martin F1 in 2021 and recently sold a minority stake that valued the team at approximately £1 billion.
Aston Martin Works operates from the historic 3.6-acre facility in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. This specialized division focuses exclusively on heritage sales, service, spare parts, and restoration operations for classic Aston Martin vehicles. Their expert team preserves the brand’s storied legacy by working with vintage models that built Aston Martin’s reputation.
Conclusion
Aston Martin’s ownership story mirrors the broader challenges facing luxury automotive brands today. Four major stakeholders now control the company’s direction, each bringing different strategic priorities to the table. Ernesto Bertarelli, Lawrence Stroll, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and Geely’s Li Shufu represent a global coalition of investors betting on the brand’s ability to adapt.
The path ahead requires balancing heritage with innovation. Aston Martin’s seven bankruptcies taught hard lessons about financial sustainability, yet the brand’s appeal has never wavered. Today’s ownership structure reflects this reality—deep-pocketed investors willing to fund the transition to electric vehicles while preserving what makes Aston Martin distinctive.
Lawrence Stroll’s role stands out among the stakeholders. His dual oversight of both the automotive business and Formula 1 operations creates synergies that previous owners couldn’t achieve. The £600 million he’s invested since 2020 demonstrates long-term commitment, not short-term speculation.
The Lucid partnership represents more than just technology sharing. It signals Aston Martin’s recognition that luxury electric vehicles require specialized expertise. Rather than developing everything in-house, the company is leveraging partnerships to accelerate its electric transition.
Financial performance remains the critical test. Selling 6,400 vehicles annually while maintaining operations across 50 countries creates inherent tensions between scale and exclusivity. The workforce of 2,740 people depends on finding the right balance.
What emerges from this ownership analysis is a company in transition. The shareholders who control Aston Martin today face decisions that will determine whether the brand thrives in the electric era or becomes another cautionary tale about luxury automotive economics.
The stakes are clear: preserve the heritage that defines Aston Martin while building a sustainable business for the next century. Success requires more than just capital—it demands strategic vision from owners who understand both luxury markets and automotive technology.
FAQs
Q1. Who is the current majority owner of Aston Martin?
As of 2025, Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli holds the largest stake in Aston Martin at 27.67%, followed closely by Lawrence Stroll with 24.56%.
Q2. How has Aston Martin’s ownership changed recently?
Aston Martin’s ownership has seen significant shifts, with Lawrence Stroll increasing his influence since 2020, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund acquiring a substantial stake, and Chinese automotive giant Geely becoming a major shareholder.
Q3. What is Aston Martin’s plan for electric vehicles?
Aston Martin has partnered with Lucid Motors to develop electric powertrains, with plans to launch its first pure electric model in 2025 and offer electrified versions of all new models by 2026.
Q4. Who owns the Aston Martin Formula One team?
The Aston Martin Formula One team is owned by Lawrence Stroll, who also serves as the executive chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc.
Q5. Is Aston Martin a public or private company?
Aston Martin is currently a public company traded on the London Stock Exchange under Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc, though there have been discussions about potentially taking it private in the future.