If you searched “Who is the founder of OnlyFans?” you probably wanted a simple name. But most creators actually mean something deeper: Who built this platform, who controls it today, and does that affect my income and safety?

Here’s the real answer, with the context that matters if you’re building a serious creator business.

The founder of OnlyFans (the direct answer)

OnlyFans was founded by Tim Stokely (often described as a British entrepreneur) and launched in 2016.

That is the person most sources refer to when they say “the founder of OnlyFans.”

Founder vs. owner vs. CEO (why people get confused)

A lot of viral posts mix up three different roles:

• Founder: the person who started the company/product.
• Owner: the person (or company) who controls it financially (equity).
• CEO: the person running day-to-day operations and strategy right now.

On platforms like OnlyFans, ownership and leadership can change over time even though the founder stays the founder.

Who owns OnlyFans now?

OnlyFans operates under Fenix International Ltd (a UK-registered company that is widely reported as the operator/parent entity behind OnlyFans).

Most reporting also states that Leonid Radvinsky acquired a majority stake in OnlyFans in 2018. This is why you’ll often see his name mentioned as “the owner,” even though he is not the founder.

If you want to read deeper ownership reporting, Reuters has covered this topic multiple times over the past few years (note: some Reuters links may be paywalled).

Who is the CEO of OnlyFans?

OnlyFans’ CEO has changed over time. In 2023, Keily Blair was publicly announced as CEO.

For creators, CEO changes matter less than policy direction and enforcement (payout reliability, content rules, verification friction, and support), but leadership shifts can signal shifting priorities.

A quick timeline (so you can remember it correctly)

Why the founder question matters (if you’re an OnlyFans creator)

Knowing who founded OnlyFans is interesting, but it’s not just trivia. Creators usually ask this question because they’re trying to assess:

• Platform risk: “Could OnlyFans change rules and hurt my income?”
• Stability: “Is this a serious company or a temporary hype machine?”
• Reputation: “Will payment processors, banks, or partners treat this platform as ‘safe’?”
• Long-term strategy: “Should I diversify to Fansly or Fanvue?”

If you’re earning (or trying to earn) real money here, your job is to think like a business owner, not just a poster.

The “real answer” creators need: what to evaluate (not just who)

Instead of stopping at “Tim Stokely,” use this mini decision framework to judge whether you should go all-in on OnlyFans right now.

Step 1: Are you depending on OnlyFans as your main income?

• If it’s side income: you can tolerate more volatility.
• If it’s rent money: you need more risk controls (backup platforms, safer promotion, better ops).

A practical read if you’re debating support vs DIY is: Working With an Agency vs Running OnlyFans Alone.

Step 2: Identify your biggest “income bottleneck”

OnlyFans income usually breaks at one of these points:

• Traffic problem: You’re not getting enough new eyes.
• Conversion problem: People click, but don’t subscribe.
• Monetization problem: You have subs, but PPV, tips, and customs are weak.
• Retention problem: People subscribe, then churn fast.
• Safety problem: Leaks, doxxing anxiety, or privacy gaps limit how hard you can push.

If you don’t know your bottleneck, you’ll waste months “posting more” without moving the needle.

Step 3: Choose the right operating model (solo vs outsourcing)

Here’s the honest tradeoff: OnlyFans is simple as a platform, but demanding as a business. Content is only one slice. DMs, promos, leak monitoring, scheduling, and analytics become a second job fast.

If your DMs are your bottleneck, you’ll like these guides:

• OnlyFans Sexting Guide: Better Sexting With Your Subscribers
• How Much to Charge for PPV on OnlyFans?

Creator checklist: “What should I check about OnlyFans as a company?”

Use this checklist any time a platform feels uncertain, leadership changes, or you see panic on social media.

Platform risk checklist (save this)

• Rules and enforcement: Read the current Terms/Acceptable Use. Policies can change, so rely on official docs, not TikToks.
• Payout reliability: If you’re outside the US, understand bank-stage delays and name/KYC matching (it matters more than people think). Start here: International Payouts: How to Avoid Common Delays.
• Traffic dependence: OnlyFans mostly relies on external promotion. If your Instagram gets shadowed or your TikTok gets banned, your income can drop.
• Leak exposure: Assume leaks are a “when,” not an “if,” and build protection habits early.
• Diversification plan: Consider a second platform once your workflow is stable (not when you’re already burned out).

If privacy is your #1 concern, this is the practical starting point: How to Secretly Promote Your OnlyFans (Without Friends or Family Finding Out).

Common myths about the OnlyFans founder (and what’s actually true)

Myth 1: “The founder is the current owner.”

Not necessarily. Founders often sell equity or lose majority control as companies grow. OnlyFans is widely reported to have a majority owner who is not the founder.

Myth 2: “If the founder stepped down, the platform is about to collapse.”

Leadership changes happen in normal companies, especially as they scale. What matters more is whether:

• payouts remain consistent,
• policies stay predictable,
• customer support and dispute resolution don’t degrade,
• creators still have viable ways to drive traffic.

Myth 3: “A ‘new CEO’ means new rules instantly.”

Sometimes changes are slow. Sometimes they’re quick. The safest approach is to run your creator business with platform-proof habits: track traffic sources, build an email list where allowed, keep promotion diversified, and maintain backups.

A super practical step: set up tracking links so you know what’s working before you change your entire strategy. Use: OnlyFans Tracking Links Guide.

What this means for you as a creator (practical takeaways)

Here’s the creator-friendly summary:

• Tim Stokely founded OnlyFans. That’s the founder.
• Ownership and leadership have evolved since launch, and that’s normal.
• The real creator question isn’t “who founded it,” it’s how do I protect my income if the platform shifts?

If you’re already making money (or you’re ready to take it seriously), focus on the controllables:

• Build a promo system you can repeat weekly.
• Treat DMs like your sales engine.
• Protect your privacy like it’s part of your brand.
• Don’t wait until you’re exhausted to get operational help.

If you’re currently doing everything alone and it’s starting to feel like two full-time jobs, you’ll probably relate to: When to Hire an OnlyFans Management Agency: 5 Brutal Truths Every Creator Needs to Hear.

If you want support (without long contracts or upfront fees)

Lookstars is an OnlyFans management agency that helps creators with marketing, 24/7 fan chatting, posting strategy, leak protection, and privacy setup, so you can focus on content and boundaries.

If you’re considering management, do it the safe way first:

• Read: 6 Red Flags to Watch Out for Before Signing with an OnlyFans Agency
• Then apply when you’re ready: Lookstars Agency