Nik Storonsky, the billionaire founder of the fintech giant Revolut, is facing a legal challenge in the High Court from luxury ship broker Cecil Wright & Partners. The brokerage is seeking a £15 million commission, alleging that Storonsky avoided paying their fee duuring the acquisition of a £300 million superyacht.
The £15 million dispute over a 334-foot vessel
The legal battle centers on a massive 334-foot superyacht that features a cryotherapy chamber, a beach club, and a 25-foot glass-bottomed infinity pool. According to the claim filed with the High Court, Cecil Wright & Partners is entitled to a 5% commission on the sale price, which totals approximately £15 million... The brokerage alleges that an adviser to the family office of Nik Storonsky first approached them in October 2024 to discuss a custom build before later inquiring about available existing vessels.
As the Financial Times reported, the brokerage claims it recommended this specific superyacht while it was still under construction. The lawyers for Cecil Wright & Partners allege that Nik Storonsky ultimately went behind the firm's back to purchase the boat directly from the seller, effectively cutting the brokers out of the transaction to avoid the commission fee.
From Patrick Dovigi to a fraudulent Brazilian banker
The ownership history of the vessel adds a layer of complexity to the transaction.. The superyacht was originally commissioned by Patrick Dovigi, a Canadian businessman and former goalie for the Edmonton Oilers ice hockey team. according to the report, the boat was sold by Patrick Dovigi to a Brazilian banker, who was subsequently arrested for alleged fraud in 2025.
Following the Brazilian banker's legal troubles, Patrick Dovigi bought the vessel back before eventually selling it to Nik Storonsky in January . This chain of ownership highlights the volatile nature of the ultra-luxury asset market, where high-value vessels often change hands rapidly amid the legal or financial instability of their owners.
A £56 billion fintech empire eyeing a London float
This legal dispute arrives as Nik Storonsky oversees one of the most successful fintech expansions in British history. Having started Revolut in 2013 with £300,000 of his own savings, Storonsky has grown the company into a powerhouse currently valued at £56 billion, based on a funding round from last October. This valuation places Revolut among the 15 largest listed companies if it were public.
The timing of the lawsuit is particularly notable as Revolut recently secured a long-awaited UK banking licence after a five-year application process. As reported, the company is now eyeing a stock market float, with London listed as a primary destination for the IPO, alongside plans for further expansion into the United States market.
Who exactly brokered the final deal with Patrick Dovigi?
Despite the detailed allegations from Cecil Wright & Partners, several critical pieces of the puzzle remain missing. it is currently unclear whether a formal, signed mandate existed between the family office of Nik Storonsky and the brokers that explicitly guaranteed a 5% commission regardless of the final purchase route. furthermore, the specific role of the "adviser" mentioned in the filings has not been detailed,leaving it unknown if this individual acted with the full authority of the Revolut founder.
While the brokerage has presented its case, the only response from the other side has been a brief statement from a spokesperson for the family office of Nik Storonsky, asserting that the claims are "without merit" and will be defended. The court will have to determine if Cecil Wright & Partners was the "effective cause" of the sale or if the direct deal with Patrick Dovigi constituted a separate, independent transaction.
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