The Rolls-Royce story
Charles Rolls, a car dealer and aviator, and Henry Royce, an engineer, met in Manchester in 1904 and founded Rolls-Royce in 1906. The company built its reputation on cars, then turned to aero engines during the First World War. Its Merlin engine powered the Spitfire and the Hurricane in the Second World War, and the jet age made aero engines its core business.
What makes Rolls-Royce powerful
Rolls-Royce is a byword for engineering excellence. Its Trent engines power many of the world's wide-body airliners, and the company also supplies engines for defence aircraft, submarines and power systems. Many customers pay for engines by flying hour, which ties Rolls-Royce's income to how much its engines are used and keeps it close to airlines for decades.
Rolls-Royce today
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is listed in London and led by Tufan Erginbilgiç, whose transformation programme since 2023 has lifted profits and margins sharply. The luxury car maker that shares the name has been a separate company, owned by BMW, since 2003. Rolls-Royce is developing small modular nuclear reactors and more efficient engine designs.
What comes next for Rolls-Royce
The road ahead for Rolls-Royce centres on growing its civil aerospace business as air travel expands, strengthening its defence work and bringing its small modular reactors to market.
Why Rolls-Royce ranks #26
Rolls-Royce ranks #85 in WCRC's World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026 with a Power Score of 74.17.
Europe's ranking carries the same score, which places Rolls-Royce at #26 among brands of core European origin.
Pillar profile
Rolls-Royce was assessed on all five pillars and 50 parameters in the World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026. See its full global profile.
Versus its nearest rivals
7 Industrials & Engineering brands are in the Europe 100. Rolls-Royce is #3 in its sector.
Questions people ask
What rank is Rolls-Royce in WCRC's Europe's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026?
Rolls-Royce ranks #26 of 100 in Europe's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 74.17 out of 100. It also ranks #85 in WCRC's World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026.
When was Rolls-Royce founded and who founded it?
Rolls-Royce was founded in 1906. Founder(s): Charles Rolls and Henry Royce.
Who leads Rolls-Royce today?
Tufan Erginbilgiç, CEO. The brand is owned by Rolls-Royce Holdings plc.
Where is Rolls-Royce headquartered?
Rolls-Royce is based in London, United Kingdom. Its country of origin is United Kingdom.
What is Rolls-Royce's revenue?
£20.06bn underlying revenue (FY2025), according to the company's published results.
What is a signature fact about Rolls-Royce?
The car business carrying the same name has been a separate company, owned by BMW, since 2003.
Key facts
| Brand | Rolls-Royce |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Rolls-Royce Holdings plc |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1906 |
| Founder(s) | Charles Rolls and Henry Royce |
| Leadership | Tufan Erginbilgiç, CEO |
| Latest revenue | £20.06bn underlying revenue (FY2025) Source |
| Sector | Industrials & Engineering |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Signature fact | The car business carrying the same name has been a separate company, owned by BMW, since 2003. |
| Official website | rolls-royce.com |
Rolls-Royce is ranked #26 in WCRC's Europe's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026 (Power Score 74.17).