Revolut founder Nik Storonsky is facing a lawsuit from a luxury ship broker that alleges he circumvented the firm to avoid paying a commission on a $300 million superyacht. Cecil Wright & Partners filed a claim in the High Court, asserting entitlement to a 5% fee, approximately $15 million, from the January transaction.
The brokerage firm claims that an advisor from Storonsky's family office initially approached them in October 2024 to commission a custom-built yacht. In 2025, the firm recommended a superyacht that was still under construction as an interim purchase. However, Cecil Wright & Partners alleges that Storonsky subsequently purchased the vessel directly from its previous owner, Canadian businessman Patrick Dovigi, effectively cutting the broker out of the deal.
According to the filings, Cecil Wright & Partners considers itself the "effective cause" of the sale and therefore entitled to the commission. Chris Cecil-Wright, the firm's founder, stated to the Financial Times that this situation is rare but that he feels strongly about pursuing the claim. A spokesperson for Storonsky's family office has called the claims "without merit and will be defended."
Storonsky, estimated to be worth $15 billion due to his stake in Revolut, purchased the 334-foot yacht, which features amenities including a glass-bottomed infinity pool, a beach club, and a cryotherapy chamber. The yacht was originally commissioned by Dovigi, a former ice hockey player, before being sold to a Brazilian banker who was later arrested for alleged fraud in 2025. Dovigi reportedly bought the yacht back before selling it to Storonsky.
Revolut, founded by Storonsky in 2013, has grown into one of the United Kingdom's most successful fintech firms, valued at $56 billion following a funding round last October. The company recently secured a UK banking license and is reportedly considering a stock market float, with London as a potential destination. Revolut is also seeking to expand its operations into the United States.