Peter Williams (businessman)

Peter Williams
Born
Peter Richard Michael Williams

June 1974 (age 50)
NationalityBritish
EducationKing Edward's School, Birmingham
Alma materUniversity College London
Known forco-founder and 52% owner, Jack Wills
TitleCEO, Jack Wills
SpouseLaura Jane Williams

Peter Richard Michael Williams (born June 1974) is a British businessman, the co-founder, former co-owner and ex-CEO of the clothing brand Jack Wills.

Early life

Peter Williams was born in June 1974.[1] He was educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham, where he was school captain, followed by a bachelor's degree in economics from University College London.[2]

Career

Peter Williams and Robert Shaw founded Jack Wills in 1999.[3][4] Williams was 23 when the first store opened at 22 Fore Street, Salcombe and it was created with £40,000 – the founders slept above the shop.[5] The brand was named after his grandfather, Jack Williams.[6]

In 2012, Williams debuted on the Sunday Times Rich List, with an estimated worth of £200 million ($326 million).[7]

In October 2016, Williams and private equity firm BlueGem became the joint owners, after long-standing investor Inflexion sold out after nine years.[8] Williams owned 52% of the company,[6] but ceased to have any role in the business following its collapse in 2019, which led to a buyout of the brand by Sport Direct (now Frasers Group).[9]

Personal life

Williams has known his wife, Laura Jane Williams, since he was 12 years old.[10][11][1]

References

  1. ^ a b "JACK WILLS LIMITED - Officers (free information from Companies House)". Beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Peter Williams, the founder and CEO of Jack Wills | Economics Department". Economics.kehsblogs.net. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  3. ^ Vernon, Polly (9 May 2010). "Jack Wills: The Sloane Ranger Rides Again". The Observer. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  4. ^ Bergin, Olivia (31 March 2010). "Jack Wills to open flagship store in Covent Garden". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 6 April 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  5. ^ Kuchler, Hannah (31 May 2010). "Business Diary: Peter Williams, Jack Wills". Financial Times. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  6. ^ a b Zoe Wood (26 June 2016). "Jack Wills may seek further investment as backer looks to pull out | Business". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  7. ^ Samantha Conti (30 April 2012). "Fashion Figures Make London Rich List 2012". Wwd.com. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  8. ^ Ben Marlow (1 October 2016). "Liberty owner in Jack Wills buyout with chain's founder". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  9. ^ Davies, Rob (5 August 2019). "Sports Direct rescues Jack Wills and adds it to its high-street empire". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  10. ^ Julia Werdigier (1 July 2012). "With the Eagerness of Youth". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  11. ^ Vandevelde, Mark (13 January 2017). "Peter Williams of Jack Wills on the joy he gets from ploughing". Financial Times. Retrieved 16 March 2017. (subscription required)