Revolut's Storonsky sued for €17.5m broker fee on €350m yacht

Cecil Wright & Partners filed a claim at London's High Court alleging Revolut co-founder Nik Storonsky bypassed its brokerage to avoid paying a €17.5m commission on the €350m superyacht Nixie, according to court documents.

"It's very rare for brokers to find themselves in this situation and it's the first time I have done so, but I feel strongly about it, hence am taking action," Chris Cecil-Wright, founder of Cecil Wright, told the Financial Times.

The brokerage claims it introduced Storonsky's family office to the 102-metre vessel, built by German shipbuilder Lürssen, after being approached in October 2024 about a newbuild project. The yacht features a glass-bottomed infinity pool, beach club and gym with a cryotherapy chamber. Storonsky inspected the vessel at Lürssen's shipyard in Schacht-Audorf, Germany, and his office offered about €300m, according to court filings.

The dispute centers on whether Cecil Wright's introduction made it the "effective cause" of the sale. Storonsky, who is in line to become the UK's richest person with a net worth of about US$20.4bn, later purchased the yacht directly from Patrick Dovigi, the Canadian businessman who originally commissioned it. Cecil Wright alleges the parties sought to "conclude the purchase without the involvement of any brokers to reduce the price."

A Complicated Ownership History

The yacht's ownership chain had already grown tangled before Storonsky's involvement. Dovigi initially sold Nixie to an unnamed Brazilian buyer who was arrested in November 2025 over allegations of fraud. The Financial Times identified the buyer as Daniel Vorcaro, a Brazilian bank executive arrested during an investigation into an alleged R$12.2bn (US$2.3bn) fraud involving Banco Master. Vorcaro has denied wrongdoing and is cooperating with authorities, according to his lawyers. Dovigi subsequently reacquired the vessel before negotiating its sale to Storonsky.

Cecil Wright's claim seeks a 5 percent commission on the reported €350m value. The brokerage has previously worked on construction of some of the world's largest yachts, including the 99-metre Madame Gu and Tango. The firm's track record in the superyacht segment spans decades, and its founder's decision to pursue litigation reflects the unusual nature of the dispute.

What's at Stake for Revolut

The lawsuit arrives as Storonsky's personal wealth has surged alongside Revolut's growth. The digital bank reported $2.3bn in profit on $6bn in revenue during 2025, and Storonsky's net worth of about US$20.4bn places him on track to become the UK's wealthiest individual, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

A spokesperson for Storonsky's family office said: "We're aware of the claim. It's without merit and will be defended. As it's now a legal matter, we won't be commenting further."

The case highlights the high-stakes nature of superyacht brokerage, where commissions on vessels of this scale can exceed the annual revenue of many mid-sized companies. While the dispute is a personal matter for Storonsky rather than a corporate issue for Revolut, it adds a layer of reputational scrutiny to one of Europe's most valuable fintech companies as it navigates its public market ambitions. The outcome of the case could also set a precedent for how brokerage introductions are treated in high-value yacht transactions, potentially reshaping commission practices across the industry.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.