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Warren Stephens
American businessman (born 1957) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Warren Amerine Stephens (born February 18, 1957) is an American diplomat and businessman who is serving as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom under President Donald Trump in his second administration. He is the chairman, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Stephens Inc., a privately held investment bank.[1]
On December 2, 2024, President-elect Trump announced his nomination of Stephens to serve as the ambassador to the United Kingdom.[2] The U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination in a 59–39 vote.[3] He was sworn in on April 30, 2025, and presented his Letters of Credence on May 21, 2025.[4]
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Early life and education
Stephens was born in Little Rock, the son of Jackson T. Stephens and Mary Amerine Stephens. Warren's father, "Jack" Stephens, and his uncle, "Witt" Stephens, partnered as investors and financiers in the investment firm, Stephens Inc.[5]
Warren began his education in Little Rock, and in 1975, graduated from Trinity Presbyterian High School in Montgomery, Alabama. He graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1979 with a BA in economics, and received his MBA from Wake Forest University in 1981.[6]
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Career
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Stephens joined his father and uncle in the investment banking business in Little Rock, which had 139 employees. At that time, the firm resembled and operated much like one of the old British merchant banks, investing the firm's and family funds in various businesses and ventures, and it still operates the same way today. Stephens Inc., is noted for handling the IPO of Wal-Mart Stores in 1970.[5]
Stephens began work as an associate in the corporate finance department, concentrating on oil and gas. He became head of the department in 1983 and spent a lot of time on mergers and acquisitions. On February 18, 1986, Stephens was appointed president and CEO of Stephens Inc.[5]
In 1990, he was the senior advisor to Tyson Foods in its acquisition of Holly Farms in a nine-month takeover battle.[5] He is only the third chairman, president and CEO in the firm's more than 90 years of operations since 1933.[7]
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In 2006, Stephens acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Stephens Inc., from the other family members.[5]
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In January 2025, Warren Stephens revealed his decision to step down from his role as CEO of Stephens Inc., to prepare to assume the position of U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom. His sons, Miles and John Stephens, have been named co-CEOs, representing the third generation of family leadership at the firm.[9]
Political involvement
A Republican, he supported Bob Dole in 1996, Steve Forbes in 1999, and has supported Mike Huckabee.[10] Stephens was a bundler for Mitt Romney in 2012.[11] He has been critical of presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.[12][13][10] During the 2016 election, Stephens and his brother Jackson Stephens were major financial supporters of the Stop Trump movement.[14]
During the 2020 presidential election, Stephens donated more than $3 million to Super PACs supporting Trump. In the 2024 Republican presidential primaries, Stephens was a major financial backer of Asa Hutchinson and Nikki Haley.[15][16] During the 2024 presidential campaign, Stephens also contributed to MAGA Inc., a Super PAC aligned with Donald Trump.[17]
On December 2, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced Stephens as the nominee to serve as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom.[18] On February 12, 2025, his nomination was sent to the Senate.[19] His nomination was confirmed by a vote of 59–39 on April 29, 2025.[3] He presented his credentials to King Charles III on May 21, 2025 at Buckingham Palace.[20]
Philanthropy
Stephens was on the board of trustees of his alma mater, Washington and Lee University.[6] Stephens and his wife Harriet are benefactors of various organizations, most notably the Episcopal Collegiate School and the Arkansas Arts Center, both in Little Rock.[21][22]
References
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