Jack Petchey
Encyclopedia
Jack Petchey CBE
(born 1925) is a businessman, now involved in many charitable enterprises. He was born and brought up in the East End of London
. During the second world war, he served in the Royal Navy, and used his Navy discharge pay to start a car hire and car sales business. This grew into a business empire worth - in mid-2007 - over half a billion pounds. In 1969 he was involved with property development becoming one of the most successful businessmen in Britain.
As well as his own business interests, he is a frequent investor in quoted companies via his investment vehicle, Trefick. His investing style tends to be cautious. He tends to look for strong asset backing and cash flow.
The Jack Petchey Foundation, formed in 1999, has given over £42 million to youth programmes. He started an award scheme for young people recognising, "extreme endeavour and to help young people to help themselves". This scheme covers schools, Scouts, sports clubs, such as cricket clubs, and other organisations.
The Petchey Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of East London
and the Petchey Academy
are named after him.
He was nominated as a Scouting In London Ambassador for the Scout Association
Region for Greater London at an Adult Appreciation ceremony in 2008.
He also owns the Petchey Leisure group, which is a timeshare company. The company has over 52,000 members and holds different types of timeshare including the famous 'Infiniti' point system, which was originally created by Disney but now, like Atlas (Weeks), is owned by Petchey Leisure.
Petchey was also chairman of Watford F.C.
for 10 years, buying the club from singer Elton John
in 1987. Petchey resold the club to John in 1997. Jack Petchey awards are now given to young children for commitment. Petchey was appointed as Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2004, and elevated to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2011 Birthday Honours
for charitable services.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 1925) is a businessman, now involved in many charitable enterprises. He was born and brought up in the East End of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. During the second world war, he served in the Royal Navy, and used his Navy discharge pay to start a car hire and car sales business. This grew into a business empire worth - in mid-2007 - over half a billion pounds. In 1969 he was involved with property development becoming one of the most successful businessmen in Britain.
As well as his own business interests, he is a frequent investor in quoted companies via his investment vehicle, Trefick. His investing style tends to be cautious. He tends to look for strong asset backing and cash flow.
The Jack Petchey Foundation, formed in 1999, has given over £42 million to youth programmes. He started an award scheme for young people recognising, "extreme endeavour and to help young people to help themselves". This scheme covers schools, Scouts, sports clubs, such as cricket clubs, and other organisations.
The Petchey Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of East London
University of East London
The University of East London is a university located in the London Borough of Newham, East London, England, based at two campuses in Stratford and Docklands areas...
and the Petchey Academy
Petchey Academy
The Petchey Academy is an academy on the site of the former Kingsland School in Shacklewell Lane, Hackney, London. It is named after Jack Petchey and has been sponsored by the Jack Petchey Foundation. It is a comprehensive high school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18. The specialism of Petchey...
are named after him.
He was nominated as a Scouting In London Ambassador for the Scout Association
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
Region for Greater London at an Adult Appreciation ceremony in 2008.
He also owns the Petchey Leisure group, which is a timeshare company. The company has over 52,000 members and holds different types of timeshare including the famous 'Infiniti' point system, which was originally created by Disney but now, like Atlas (Weeks), is owned by Petchey Leisure.
Petchey was also chairman of Watford F.C.
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
for 10 years, buying the club from singer Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
in 1987. Petchey resold the club to John in 1997. Jack Petchey awards are now given to young children for commitment. Petchey was appointed as Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2004, and elevated to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2011 Birthday Honours
2011 Birthday Honours
The Birthday Honours 2011 for the Commonwealth Realms were announced on 7 June 2011 in New Zealand and 11 June 2011 in United Kingdom to celebrate the Queen's Birthday of 2011.-Privy Councillors:...
for charitable services.