Billionaire linked to superyacht anchored in Brighton

The mystery billionaire behind the super-sized luxury superyacht anchored in Brighton may no longer be secret.

The Lady E is in Melbourne and is drawing plenty of chatter. Picture: Supplied.

A Brighton Grammar old boy has emerged as a not so secret billionaire who was last aboard a superyacht anchored in Brighton that has got Melbourne talking.

Named Lady E, the 74.5 metre long yacht is available for charter with a price tag of $767,840 per week.

The Herald Sun can now reveal David Russell and his family spent last weekend on board but it’s unclear if he is the owner.

Russell who has made his fortune as the co-founder of Singapore based Equis private equity group already owns multi-million dollar properties here and interstate, and also a private jet.

Russell’s daughter Imogen, whose partner is former socialite and pharmacist Shadi Kazeme, has given an insight into their world of yacht parties, Maldives getaways, classy dinners, horse riding and luxury holidays.

Dave Russell and daughter Imogen. Picture: Instagram

Imogen has shared some happy snaps on board the yacht. Picture: Instagram

Imogen posted pictures of her and Kazeme partying on the yacht just last weekend.

Last September she also posted with her dad in front of a private jet labelled T7 RUS.

She even used the hashtag Dad’s Taxi, and in April last year she was on Lady E in the Maldives.

A private jet used by the family. Picture: Instagram

Shadi Kazeme, Dave and Imogen . Picture: Instagram

Imogen and Shadi on the superyacht last weekend. Pic: Instagram

Clearly close with her dad, Imogen posted on his birthday in September: “Happy Birthday Old chap. Your (sic) loved more than you think.”

A tightknit family, they have also spent time in Noosa where it was reported Russell forked out $22 million for a beachfront home in a record price for the holiday region in 2018.

Russell himself posted a picture there recently of the sweeping sea views, saying the yacht, named Lady E potentially after his wife Elena, was passing nearby on its way to Melbourne for a birthday bash.

It all adds up to Russell being connected to the superyacht.

Inside the SuperYacht The Lady E. Picture: Supplied.

The decadent yacht has an eyewatering price tag. Picture: Supplied.

The yacht is available for charter. Picture: Supplied.

In 2018 he bought the Brighton home of cricket legend Shane Warne, called Melville, for $20 million in an off market deal.

The home which Warne once owned with ex-wife Simone Callahan, is reportedly undergoing renovations.

In 2018 it was reported Equis Energy sold for $US5 billion with the co-founders pocketing $800 million.

Russell attended Brighton Grammar from 1982-1987 and was captain of Rugby in his final year. He went on to study law/economics at Monash University before working as an energy and utilities lawyer.

He is also the chairman of the Che Sara Sara Foundation, a not for profit that supports vulnerable parents and children in crisis in Russia, Uzbekistan and the Philippines.

Previously based in Singapore, he made Singapore Tatler’s list of Most Influential People in 2016 and 2018.