David Thomson

$6.78 B

Ranked #561 in World

About David Thomson

David Kenneth Roy Thomson, 3rd Baron Thomson of Fleet, stands as a towering figure in the Canadian business landscape, born on June 12, 1957, in Toronto. An alumnus of Selwyn College, Cambridge, with a History MA, Thomson boasts a diverse career spanning retail, real estate, and sports. He pioneered Osmington Incorporated, facilitated major sports investments, and leads Toronto-based Morgan Bay Capital. Known for his significant art collection, he is a benefactor to the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Born

June 12, 1957

Age

68 years

Source Of Wealth

Thomson Reuters

Industries

Media & Entertainment

Citizenship

Canada

Residence

Toronto

Education

Master of Arts, University of Cambridge

David Kenneth Roy Thomson, the 3rd Baron Thomson of Fleet, was born on June 12, 1957, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is the eldest child of Kenneth Thomson, the 2nd Baron Thomson of Fleet, and Marilyn Lavis. David has a sister, Taylor Thomson, and a brother, Peter Thomson, who is a race car driver.

David attended Upper Canada College and the Hall School as a child. He later pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree (subsequently upgraded to an MA (Cantab)) from Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he studied History.

David Thomson: Family

David Thomson comes from a prominent Canadian family with a long history in the media and business sectors. His father, Kenneth Thomson, was a renowned businessman who served as the chairman of The Thomson Corporation, a global media conglomerate.

David has been married multiple times and has seven children from four different mothers. With his first wife, Mary Lou La Prairie, he has two daughters, Thyra Nicole and Tessa Lys. His second wife, Laurie Ludwick, gave birth to a son named Benjamin. David also has a daughter, Braelyn, with actress Kelly Rowan.

Furthermore, David has three daughters with his partner, Severine Nackers: Ottilie, Elodie, and Idalie. Despite his large family, David experienced a period of estrangement from his eldest daughter, Thyra, due to mismanagement of family trusts. However, this issue was eventually resolved out of court in 2017.

David Thomson: Career Highlights

David Thomson's career journey began as a junior associate at McLeod Young Weir in Toronto. He subsequently held various positions within companies controlled by the Thomson family, gaining valuable experience in the business world.

Some of his notable career highlights include serving as the Manager of The Bay store at Cloverdale Mall in Etobicoke and later becoming the President of Zellers. He also founded Osmington Incorporated, a real estate firm that acquires and manages commercial real estate assets.

In 2010, Osmington sold its stake in eight retail properties to the Canada Pension Plan for a substantial amount of $336 million.

Additionally, David is a major investor in FarmersEdge, a precision agriculture company, and a partner in True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Winnipeg Jets and the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.

Furthermore, David is involved in the redevelopment of the retail space of Toronto's Union Station and is bringing the popular fast food chain Shake Shack to Canada with plans for 35 outlets. His investment activities are managed through the Toronto hedge fund Morgan Bay Capital.

David Thomson: Companies

David Thomson has been associated with several notable companies throughout his career. He started as a junior associate at McLeod Young Weir, a Canadian investment firm. Within the Thomson family's business empire, he held various positions, including Manager of The Bay store at Cloverdale Mall in Etobicoke and President of Zellers.

David founded Osmington Incorporated, a real estate firm that acquires and manages commercial real estate assets. Osmington made a significant transaction in 2010 when it sold its stake in eight retail properties to the Canada Pension Plan for $336 million.

Thomson is also a major investor in FarmersEdge, a precision agriculture company that utilizes data and technology to optimize farming practices. Additionally, he is a partner in True North Sports and Entertainment, the owner of the Winnipeg Jets ice hockey team and the Canada Life Centre arena in Winnipeg.

David's investment activities are managed through Morgan Bay Capital, a Toronto-based hedge fund. He is involved in the redevelopment of Toronto's Union Station's retail space and is bringing the Shake Shack fast food chain to Canada with plans for 35 outlets.

David Thomson: Major Achievements

David Thomson has achieved significant milestones throughout his career. One of his notable accomplishments is the founding of Osmington Incorporated, a successful real estate firm that has made substantial acquisitions and transactions.

In the art world, David is recognized as a prominent art collector, owning an impressive collection of works by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, J.

M. W. Turner, Paul Klee, Hammershoi, Edvard Munch, Patrick Heron, Joseph Beuys, E. L. Kirchner, and Egon Schiele.

He holds the distinction of owning the world's largest collection of paintings and drawings by English painter John Constable. David's art collection also includes significant pieces by J. M. W. Turner and Rembrandt, which he acquired for record-breaking prices at auctions.

Furthermore, David has made substantial contributions to the Art Gallery of Ontario, donating over $276 million towards its renovation costs and establishing a permanent endowment with an additional $20 million. He is an active acquirer of Canadian art, holding records for the highest prices paid for a single piece of Native North American art ($1.8 million) and a Group of Seven artist Lawren Harris painting ($11.2 million).

David Thomson: Awards & Achievements

David Thomson's contributions to the art world have been widely recognized. He received the Order of Canada, one of Canada's highest civilian honors, in 2017 for his significant contributions to the arts and culture.

In 2019, David was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Toronto in recognition of his achievements in business, philanthropy, and the arts.

David Thomson: Personal Life & Legacy

David Thomson maintains a relatively private personal life. He has been married multiple times and has seven children from four different mothers. Despite his large family, he experienced a period of estrangement from his eldest daughter, Thyra, due to mismanagement of family trusts. However, this issue was eventually resolved out of court in 2017.

David resides in Rosedale, Toronto, in a ravine compound that features an underground art gallery. He is a patron of the Art Gallery of Ontario and inherited the title of 3rd Baron Thomson of Fleet upon his father's death in 2006. However, he does not use the title in Canada.

David rarely grants interviews to the press and maintains a low public profile, preferring to focus on his business ventures and art collection.

David Thomson: Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about David Thomson:

David Thomson is a noted art collector and owns the world's largest collection of paintings and drawings by English painter John Constable.

He purchased J. M. W. Turner's "Seascape: Folkestone" for a record £7.3 million in 1984, setting a new benchmark for art prices at the time.
Thomson also acquired Rembrandt's "Christ Presented to the People" for a record £561,000 in 1985, further demonstrating his passion for collecting significant artworks.
In addition to his art collection, David is a major investor in FarmersEdge, a precision agriculture company that utilizes technology to optimize farming practices.
He is a partner in True North Sports and Entertainment, the owner of the Winnipeg Jets ice hockey team and the Canada Life Centre arena in Winnipeg.
David is involved in the redevelopment of Toronto's Union Station's retail space and is bringing the popular fast food chain Shake Shack to Canada with plans for 35 outlets.

Wealth History

Timeline

June 12, 1957

David Kenneth Roy Thomson, 3rd Baron Thomson of Fleet, is born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Attended Upper Canada College and the Hall School

David Thomson attends Upper Canada College and the Hall School as a child.

Bachelor of Arts

David Thomson receives a Bachelor of Arts degree (subsequently upgraded to an MA (Cantab)) from Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he studies History.

Started as a junior associate at McLeod Young Weir in Toronto

David Thomson starts his business career as a junior associate at McLeod Young Weir in Toronto.

Worked in various positions within companies controlled by the Thomson family

David Thomson works in various positions within companies controlled by the Thomson family.

Manager of The Bay store at Cloverdale Mall in Etobicoke

David Thomson becomes the Manager of The Bay store at Cloverdale Mall in Etobicoke.

President of Zellers

David Thomson is appointed President of Zellers.

Founded real estate firm Osmington Incorporated

David Thomson founds the real estate firm Osmington Incorporated, which acquires and manages commercial real estate assets.

2010

Osmington Incorporated sells its stake in eight retail properties to the Canada Pension Plan for $336 million.

Major investor in FarmersEdge

David Thomson becomes a major investor in FarmersEdge, a precision agriculture company.

Partner in True North Sports and Entertainment

David Thomson becomes a partner in True North Sports and Entertainment, owners of the Winnipeg Jets and the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.

Redeveloping the retail space of Toronto's Union Station

David Thomson undertakes the redevelopment of the retail space of Toronto's Union Station.

Bringing the fast food chain Shake Shack to Canada with plans for 35 outlets

David Thomson brings the fast food chain Shake Shack to Canada with plans for 35 outlets.

Investment activities managed through Toronto hedge fund Morgan Bay Capital

David Thomson's investment activities are managed through the Toronto hedge fund Morgan Bay Capital.

Purchased J. M. W. Turner's "Seascape: Folkestone" for a record £7.3 million in 1984

David Thomson purchases J. M. W. Turner's "Seascape: Folkestone" for a record £7.3 million in 1984.

Bought Rembrandt's "Christ Presented to the People" for a record £561,000 in 1985

David Thomson buys Rembrandt's "Christ Presented to the People" for a record £561,000 in 1985.

Donated over $276 million to the Art Gallery of Ontario's renovation costs and created a permanent endowment with an additional $20 million

David Thomson donates over $276 million to the Art Gallery of Ontario's renovation costs and creates a permanent endowment with an additional $20 million.

Active acquirer of Canadian art, holds the record for the highest price paid for a single piece of Native North American art ($1.8 million) and a Group of Seven artist Lawren Harris painting ($11.2 million)

David Thomson becomes an active acquirer of Canadian art, holding the record for the highest price paid for a single piece of Native North American art ($1.8 million) and a Group of Seven artist Lawren Harris painting ($11.2 million).

Operates collecting activities through Thomson Works of Art and funds the Archive of Modern Conflict in London

David Thomson operates his collecting activities through Thomson Works of Art and funds the Archive of Modern Conflict in London.

2006

David Thomson inherits the title of 3rd Baron Thomson of Fleet upon his father's death but does not use it in Canada.

Estranged from eldest daughter, Thyra, for five years due to mismanagement of family trusts (settled out of court in 2017)

David Thomson becomes estranged from his eldest daughter, Thyra, for five years due to mismanagement of family trusts, which is settled out of court in 2017.

David Thomson : FAQs

What is David Thomson's current net worth?

David Thomson's current net worth is $6.78 billion.

What is David Thomson's current global rank among billionaires?

David Thomson holds the 561st position globally among billionaires.

What is David Thomson's current ranking within the Canada?

David Thomson holds the 14th position in Canada.

What was the change in David Thomson's net worth compared to the previous year?

David Thomson's net worth decreased by 1.42 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 8.19 billion dollars.

What is the recent change in David Thomson's net worth?

David Thomson's net worth decreased by 104.79 million dollars recently, a 1.55% decrease, with his net worth standing at 6.78 billion dollars.

What are David Thomson's main sources of wealth?

David Thomson's main source of income comes from Thomson Reuters.

In which industry does David Thomson primarily operate?

David Thomson is primarily involved in the Media & Entertainment industry.

What is David Thomson educational background?

David Thomson holds a Master of Arts from the University of Cambridge.

How old is David Thomson?

David Thomson is 68 years old.

How many children does David Thomson have?

David Thomson has 4 children.

Who is David Kenneth Roy Thomson, 3rd Baron Thomson of Fleet?

David Kenneth Roy Thomson, also known as the 3rd Baron Thomson of Fleet, was born on June 12, 1957, in Toronto, Canada. He is the eldest child of Kenneth Thomson, 2nd Baron Thomson of Fleet, and Marilyn Lavis, and is a prominent Canadian businessman, art collector, and philanthropist.

What is David Thomson's background in business and real estate?

David Thomson started his career at McLeod Young Weir in Toronto and held various positions within the Thomson family's companies. He founded Osmington Incorporated, a real estate firm that manages commercial properties, and he has been involved in notable transactions such as selling stakes in retail properties for $336 million. He is also a partner in True North Sports and Entertainment and involved in bringing Shake Shack to Canada.

What is notable about David Thomson's art collection?

David Thomson is a respected art collector with works by Rembrandt, Turner, and other masters. He holds the world's largest collection of John Constable's works and has made significant donations to the Art Gallery of Ontario. His collecting activities are conducted through Thomson Works of Art and contribute to the Archive of Modern Conflict.

Can you describe David Thomson's family and personal life?

David Thomson is a father of seven children from four different partners, including actress Kelly Rowan. He lives in a compound in Toronto's Rosedale neighborhood and is known for being a patron of the arts and a private individual, rarely giving interviews and maintaining a low public profile.