Career Timeline

30 key moments in Rupert Lowe's life and career

1957

Rupert Lowe Born in Oxford

Rupert James Graham Lowe was born on 31 October 1957 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England.

1960s

Attends Dragon School, Oxford

Lowe attended the prestigious Dragon School in Oxford, one of England's leading preparatory schools.

1970s

Educated at Radley College

Lowe attended Radley College, an elite all-boys independent boarding school in Oxfordshire.

1970s

University of Reading

Lowe earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Reading.

1980s

Joins Morgan Grenfell

Lowe began his City of London career at Morgan Grenfell, the historic British merchant bank.

1980s

Works at Barings Bank

Lowe worked at Barings Bank, one of the oldest merchant banks in London, before its collapse in 1995.

1986

Marries Nicky Lowe

Rupert Lowe married Nicky Lowe on 17 May 1986. They would go on to have four children together.

1990s

Founds Secure Retirements

Lowe founded Secure Retirements, a quoted care home provider, with Andrew Cowen.

1993

Leaves Conservative Party

Lowe left the Conservative Party over disagreements about the Maastricht Treaty and European integration.

1997

Becomes Southampton FC Chairman

Lowe became Chairman of Southampton Football Club through a reverse takeover using Secure Retirements.

1997

Stands for Referendum Party

Lowe stood as the Referendum Party candidate for The Cotswolds in the 1997 general election.

2001

St Mary's Stadium Opens

Southampton FC moved to the new 32,000-capacity St Mary's Stadium under Lowe's chairmanship.

2003

Southampton Reach FA Cup Final

The pinnacle of Lowe's chairmanship as Southampton reached the FA Cup Final, losing 1-0 to Arsenal.

2005

Wins Libel Case Against The Times

Lowe won £250,000 in damages from The Times newspaper, which he pledged to donate to charity.

2005

Southampton Relegated

Southampton were relegated from the Premier League after a disastrous season with three managers.

2006

Resigns as Southampton Chairman

Lowe resigned as Southampton chairman following fan protests and the club's relegation.

2008

Returns to Southampton FC

Lowe returned as chairman in a failed attempt to rescue Southampton's finances.

2009

Southampton Enter Administration

Southampton FC entered administration and were relegated to League One, ending Lowe's involvement.

2012

Purchases Garforth Town

Lowe briefly returned to football by purchasing Garforth Town of the Northern Premier League.

2019

Elected Brexit Party MEP

Lowe was elected as a Brexit Party MEP for the West Midlands at the European Parliament elections.

2020

Climate 'Cult' Statement

Lowe called climate change a 'cult' during European Parliament debates about the Australian bushfires.

2023

Becomes Reform UK Spokesman

Lowe returned to active politics as Reform UK's Business and Agriculture Spokesman.

2024

Kingswood By-Election

Lowe achieved Reform UK's best-ever by-election result, finishing third with over 10% of the vote.

2024

Elected MP for Great Yarmouth

Lowe was elected as Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth with 35.3% of the vote.

2025

Elon Musk Praises Lowe

Elon Musk praised Lowe as a potential alternative to Nigel Farage during their public dispute.

2025

Suspended from Reform UK

Lowe was suspended from Reform UK amid allegations about his conduct towards party leadership.

2025

Founds Restore Britain

Following his Reform UK suspension, Lowe founded Restore Britain as a political movement.

2025

Establishes Great Yarmouth First

Lowe established Great Yarmouth First as a local political party for council elections.

2026

Restore Britain Becomes Party

Lowe converted Restore Britain into a registered national political party at Britannia Pier.

2026

Elon Musk Endorses Lowe

Elon Musk endorsed Lowe and Restore Britain, calling him 'the only one who will actually do it'.