Reuters, one of the world’s largest news agencies, has an intriguing ownership structure. While many people encounter Reuters news articles daily, few know who actually controls this influential global information provider.
Reuters is owned by Thomson Reuters Corporation. This was formed when the Thomson Corporation acquired Reuters Group in 2008 for approximately $17.23 billion.
Behind Thomson Reuters stands The Woodbridge Company, the holding company for the Thomson family of Canada. This family connection gives the massive media and information company a unique character despite its global reach. The Thomson family maintains majority ownership through Woodbridge, creating stability while Reuters continues to serve billions of people worldwide with its news and information services.
Key Takeaways
- Reuters operates as the news and media division of Thomson Reuters Corporation, delivering news to billions of people daily.
- The Thomson family of Canada controls Thomson Reuters through their holding company, The Woodbridge Company.
- The current company structure was formed in 2008 when Thomson Corporation acquired Reuters for $17.23 billion.
History and Ownership
Reuters has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. The company was established by Paul Julius Reuter, a former bank clerk who started a business providing stock prices and news in London.
Reuters operated independently for many years as a respected news agency. The organization grew to become one of the world’s leading sources for financial news and information.
In 2008, a significant change occurred when Canadian company Thomson Corporation acquired Reuters in a deal worth $17.2 billion. This merger created Thomson Reuters, combining two powerful information providers.
The Thomson family of Canada maintains majority ownership of Thomson Reuters through their holding company, The Woodbridge Company Limited. This family-owned investment company serves as the principal shareholder.
Before the merger, Thomson Corporation was already a major player in specialized information services. Reuters Group was renowned for its news and financial data services worldwide.
The acquisition represented a strategic move to create a global information powerhouse. It brought together Thomson’s expertise in professional markets with Reuters’ strength in news and financial data.
Thomson Reuters Today
Thomson Reuters is currently a major global content and technology company. It was formed when the Canadian Thomson Corporation purchased Reuters for $17.23 billion in 2008.
The company provides essential information and services to professionals across several industries. These include legal, tax, accounting, government, and media sectors.
Thomson Reuters is led by a board of directors with David Thomson serving as Chairman. The Thomson family maintains significant ownership through their investment company, Woodbridge.
Key Business Areas:
- Legal research and solutions
- Tax preparation software
- Accounting services
- Government intelligence tools
- Media and news reporting
Reuters continues to operate as a well-respected news agency within the Thomson Reuters family. It delivers news and intelligence to millions of people worldwide.
The company combines advanced technology with human expertise to deliver trusted information. Its products help professionals make important decisions with confidence.
Thomson Reuters maintains offices around the world, serving clients in numerous countries. Their global reach allows them to provide localized services while maintaining international standards.
Corporate Structure
Reuters operates under a complex ownership structure that has evolved over time. The company is now part of Thomson Reuters after being acquired in 2008.
Board of Directors
Thomson Reuters is guided by a diverse board of directors who oversee the company’s strategic direction. The board includes experienced professionals from various industries who bring valuable perspectives to the table.
The board members work together to ensure the company maintains its principles of trust, independence, and freedom from bias. These values are protected by a unique mechanism called the Founders Share Company, which holds a special “golden share.” This structure helps preserve Reuters’ journalistic integrity.
Board meetings occur regularly throughout the year to review performance, discuss strategic initiatives, and address shareholder concerns. The directors play a crucial role in maintaining the company’s reputation for reliable news reporting.
Executive Leadership
The day-to-day operations of Thomson Reuters are managed by a team of experienced executives. This team is headed by Steve Hasker, who serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. He leads the company’s overall business strategy and operations.
The executive team includes several key positions:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Technology Officer
- Heads of major business divisions
These corporate leaders work together to implement the company’s vision and ensure financial stability. The leadership team represents the company in interactions with major clients, investors, and media partners.
Executive decisions are guided by both market considerations and the company’s long tradition of journalistic excellence established since Reuters’ founding. The team must balance commercial interests with maintaining the trusted Reuters brand.
Strategic Business Units
Thomson Reuters operates several key business divisions that serve different professional sectors. These units work together while maintaining distinct services tailored to specific customer needs.
Legal Professionals
The Legal Professionals segment is one of Thomson Reuters’ largest business units. This division provides critical legal research tools and software to law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies worldwide. Products like Westlaw and Practical Law help legal professionals research cases, prepare documents, and manage their practices efficiently.
Law firms of all sizes rely on these tools for daily operations. The Elite practice management system helps with billing and case management, making it easier to run a successful legal practice.
Thomson Reuters continues to invest in AI and machine learning to enhance these legal tools. This helps lawyers work faster and more accurately.
The Legal Professionals unit generates significant revenue for the company through subscription-based services.
Corporates
The Corporates business unit serves large businesses and their in-house teams. This division provides solutions for legal, tax, and compliance departments within corporations.
Products in this division include ONESOURCE for tax compliance and Corporate CLEAR for risk management and due diligence.
Many Fortune 500 companies depend on these tools to navigate complex regulations across multiple countries. The solutions help businesses avoid legal troubles and operate more efficiently.
This unit has grown as more companies bring legal work in-house to control costs. Thomson Reuters has responded by creating specialized tools just for corporate users.
The Corporates segment works closely with the Legal and Tax divisions to create integrated solutions for business clients.
Tax and Accounting Professionals
The Tax and Accounting Professionals unit provides essential tools for accountants, tax preparers, and financial advisors. This division offers software that simplifies tax preparation, compliance, and financial reporting.
Products like UltraTax CS and Checkpoint help tax professionals manage client returns and stay current on changing tax laws. These tools are especially valuable during tax season when accuracy and efficiency are critical.
Small to mid-sized accounting firms particularly benefit from these solutions. The software automates routine tasks and reduces errors.
Thomson Reuters regularly updates these products to reflect new tax legislation. This ensures accountants always have access to current information.
The division has expanded its cloud-based offerings in recent years, allowing professionals to work remotely with greater ease.
Reuters News
The Reuters News division is the company’s most publicly visible unit. It delivers trusted news and information to billions of people worldwide through various media channels.
Reuters employs thousands of journalists across the globe who report on business, politics, technology, and more. Their commitment to accuracy and impartiality has built a strong reputation for reliability.
This division operates differently than other Thomson Reuters units. While it generates revenue through subscriptions and licensing, it also serves as a brand ambassador for the entire company.
In 2018, Thomson Reuters sold a majority stake in its Financial & Risk unit to Blackstone Group, but maintained Reuters News as a core business.
The division continues to innovate with digital offerings while maintaining its journalistic standards.
Global Print
The Global Print division manages the physical publication and distribution of reference materials, legal books, and tax guides. Though smaller than the digital segments, it remains important to certain customer groups.
Law libraries and accounting firms still value printed materials for reference and compliance purposes. This unit ensures these materials are updated regularly and distributed efficiently.
The division has adapted to changing market conditions by offering hybrid solutions. Many print products now include digital access codes or online supplements.
While Thomson Reuters has shifted toward digital products, Global Print continues to serve customers who prefer traditional formats. This balanced approach helps maintain relationships with long-term clients.
The unit operates with streamlined production processes to maintain profitability despite the general decline in print media consumption.
Products and Services
Thomson Reuters offers a wide range of solutions for professionals across different industries. Their products and services help businesses stay informed and make better decisions.
Trusted Content is at the core of what they provide. Reuters, owned by Thomson Reuters, employs about 2,500 journalists and 600 photojournalists in roughly 200 locations worldwide. This global network ensures reliable news and information.
The company specializes in Specialized Software designed for specific industries. These tools help professionals manage complex tasks and improve efficiency.
Workflow Automation solutions make daily operations smoother for businesses. They reduce manual work and help teams focus on more important tasks.
Thomson Reuters helps professionals make Informed Decisions through their AI and technology offerings. They provide trusted content and workflow automation that help users understand current situations and plan for the future.
Their services are particularly valued by:
- Legal professionals
- Tax specialists
- Financial experts
- News organizations
- Corporate businesses
The company has evolved significantly over time, growing from using pigeons to deliver news to becoming a modern multimedia organization. Today, Thomson Reuters stands as a leading provider of information-based tools for professionals worldwide.
Partnerships and Integrations
Thomson Reuters has developed numerous strategic partnerships to strengthen its services and reach. The company connects clients to top-tier organizations through its Partnerships & Alliances Program, creating a network of valuable resources for users.
One notable partnership is with Symphony. Thomson Reuters announced an integration between its Eikon platform and Symphony’s workflow platform. This collaboration enhances communication and information sharing for financial professionals.
Thomson Reuters has also formed a partnership with Oracle. They created a turnkey integration with ONESOURCE Pagero and Oracle Cloud Enterprise to streamline business processes for their shared customers.
The company maintains connections with major financial markets and exchanges including:
- Nasdaq – providing market data and analytics
- TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange) – supporting Canadian market information
Thomson Reuters focuses specifically on corporate tax partnerships and alliances that deliver customer benefits through integrated solutions. These partnerships help create more comprehensive tools for tax professionals.
Technology partnerships, including those with Microsoft, allow Thomson Reuters to enhance its digital products and services. These integrations create more seamless experiences for users across different platforms.
Corporate Responsibility
Thomson Reuters demonstrates commitment to social impact through various programs focused on transparency, truth, and justice. The company integrates responsibility into its business practices to benefit customers, employees, and communities.
Ethical Journalism
Reuters has built a strong reputation for ethical journalism that prioritizes truth and accuracy. The organization follows strict guidelines to ensure reporting remains unbiased and factual.
Journalists are trained to verify information through multiple sources before publication. This commitment to truth helps maintain public trust in an era of misinformation.
Reuters operates independently despite being owned by Thomson Reuters. This separation helps protect journalistic integrity. The Ethical Corporation Magazine, while part of Reuters Professional, maintains editorial independence from Reuters News.
Transparency in reporting methods and correction policies further strengthens Reuters’ ethical standards. When mistakes happen, they are promptly acknowledged and fixed.
Sustainability Initiatives
Thomson Reuters has developed several sustainability programs that reflect their corporate values. The company publishes an annual Corporate Responsibility & Inclusion Report detailing their efforts and progress.
One key initiative is the Thomson Reuters Corporate Responsibility Indices, which helps businesses measure their sustainability performance. This data is integrated into their market analytics platform, providing valuable insights for responsible investors.
The company focuses on reducing environmental impact through energy-efficient facilities and reduced carbon emissions. Digital transformation has helped decrease paper usage across operations.
Thomson Reuters also promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce. Programs supporting underrepresented groups in media and technology help create pathways to careers in journalism.
Community outreach includes pro bono services and volunteer opportunities for employees to support justice and education in underserved areas.
Financial Overview
Thomson Reuters showcases strong financial performance as a global business information provider. The company’s financial health is visible through its consistent revenue growth and dedicated investor relations efforts.
Revenue Growth
Thomson Reuters has shown steady financial progress over recent years. The company trades on the New York Stock Exchange and has maintained a solid financial position since the merger of Thomson Corporation and Reuters in 2008.
The $17.23 billion acquisition deal created a powerful entity in the financial news and data market, positioning it to compete effectively against other industry giants.
Revenue streams primarily come from professional information services, with significant contributions from legal, tax, accounting, and news divisions. The diversified income sources help buffer against market volatility.
In their forward-looking statements, Thomson Reuters typically highlights expectations for continued growth while acknowledging potential risks and uncertainties in global markets.
Investor Relations
Thomson Reuters maintains transparent communication with its investors through comprehensive reporting. The company provides detailed annual reports that outline performance metrics, strategic initiatives, and financial targets.
Investors can access historical financial data, including both Reuters Annual Reports and Thomson Annual Information Forms through the company’s investor relations portal.
Quarterly earnings calls offer deeper insights into current performance trends and future outlook. These sessions allow analysts and shareholders to engage directly with executive leadership.
The majority ownership by The Woodbridge Company, the Thomson family’s holding company, provides stability while maintaining public market accountability. This ownership structure influences financial decision-making and long-term strategy.
The investor relations team regularly addresses market uncertainties and potential risks that might impact financial results.
Legal and Compliance
Thomson Reuters operates under strict legal and compliance frameworks as a global information provider. The company is majority-owned by The Woodbridge Company, which maintains the largest stake in the organization.
As a publicly traded company, Thomson Reuters must follow regulations from multiple oversight bodies. These include the Canadian Securities Regulatory Authorities since the company has strong Canadian roots through the Thomson family.
The company also reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as it trades on American exchanges. This dual reporting structure requires rigorous compliance practices across all operations.
Thomson Reuters often works with major accounting firms like PwC for auditing services and compliance verification. These partnerships help ensure the company meets all regulatory requirements across its global operations.
The Compliance department at Thomson Reuters plays a crucial role in maintaining ethical standards. They develop and enforce policies that guide the company’s information services, particularly in sensitive areas like financial data and legal information.
Internal compliance teams regularly review content and business practices to avoid conflicts of interest. This is especially important given Reuters’ role as a major news provider that must maintain journalistic independence.
Thomson Reuters also provides compliance tools to other businesses, making their understanding of regulatory frameworks a core part of their business model.
Company Culture
Thomson Reuters has developed a unique workplace environment that balances professionalism with employee well-being. The company culture is built on shared values, behaviors, and beliefs that shape how employees work together and interact with the world.
A strong culture at Thomson Reuters inspires growth and innovation among team members. The company creates an atmosphere where employees feel valued and motivated to contribute their best work.
The leadership team, headed by President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Hasker, sets the tone for the organization. They work to ensure Thomson Reuters remains the world’s leading source of intelligent information while maintaining a positive workplace.
Communication flows openly between departments. Teams collaborate across different functions, including:
- Corporate Communications
- Human Resources
- Product Management
- Technology
Some employees describe Thomson Reuters as a good workplace with opportunities for advancement. On platforms like Reddit, job candidates often ask about the work culture and stability of positions at the company.
The Human Resources department focuses on recruiting talented individuals who align with the company’s values. They offer competitive benefits and professional development options to retain their workforce.
Product Management teams at Thomson Reuters collaborate closely with clients to ensure their information services meet market needs. This customer-focused approach strengthens both their products and their corporate reputation.
Future Outlook
Thomson Reuters is looking ahead with optimism. The company recently raised its 2025 organic revenue forecast as it increases investments in artificial intelligence technologies.
AI investment is becoming a major focus for the company. Thomson Reuters has spent over $200 million developing AI capabilities across its product lines. These include the Westlaw legal database and Checkpoint tax services.
The company is also planning a significant change in its stock listing. Thomson Reuters will shift its US listing from NYSE to Nasdaq around February 25. This move signals confidence in their tech-focused future.
Data Solutions remain central to Thomson Reuters’ strategy. By combining news coverage with specialized data services, they aim to provide unique value to business and legal professionals.
The company continues to evaluate potential acquisitions to strengthen its portfolio. These strategic moves help Thomson Reuters maintain its competitive edge in the financial news and data market.
Supply Chain innovations are helping Thomson Reuters deliver content more efficiently. This allows for faster news delivery and more reliable data services for their clients worldwide.
Thomson Reuters appears well-positioned for future growth. With their focus on technology investments and service improvements, they’re working to secure their place as a leader in the global information industry.
