John Timpson (businessman)

Sir William John Anthony Timpson CBE (born 1943) is a British businessman, the chairman and owner of Timpson, a UK shoe repair chain with over 2000 shops. He has a weekly management column in The Daily Telegraph and has written several books about his management style.

Not to be confused with John Timpson (1928–2005), who was a British journalist.

Sir John Timpson
CBE
Born1943 (age 77–78)
CitizenshipBritish
EducationOundle School
Alma materUniversity of Nottingham
OccupationChairman and owner, Timpson
Net worth GB£210 million (Sunday Times Rich List, 2019)
Spouse(s)Alex Timpson (died 2016)
ChildrenEdward Timpson + 4

According to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2019, Timpson is worth £210 million.[1]

Early life

Timpson was born in 1943, and educated at Oundle School and the University of Nottingham.[2]

Publications
  • High Street Heroes: The Story Of British Retail In 50 People, Icon Books Ltd (2015)
  • Ask John: Straight-talking, common sense from the front line of management Paperback, Icon Books Ltd (2014)
  • Upside Down Management, John Wiley & Sons (2010)
  • How to Ride a Giraffe, Caspian Publishing Ltd (2008)
  • Dear James: Secrets of Success from a Management Maverick, Caspian Publishing Ltd (2000)

Politics

During the EU referendum in 2016, Timpson gave his public support for leaving the EU and stated that it is "a risk worth taking".[3]

In April 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic, Timpson predicted that some household names "[wouldn't] come back" and that high streets would look "somewhat different" following the lifting of restrictions imposed on the population to prevent the spread of the virus.[4][5]

Personal life

Together with his wife Alex, who died on 5 January 2016, he had three children, adopted two more, and fostered another 90.[6][7]

His youngest son, Edward Timpson, is the MP for Eddisbury in Cheshire, and was previously MP for Crewe and Nantwich, also in Cheshire.

Timpson is an avid Manchester City supporter.[8]

He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2004 for services to the retail sector[9] and was knighted in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to business and fostering.[10][11]

References
  1. Times, The Sunday (12 May 2019). "Rich List 2019: profiles 553-599=, featuring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  2. "Meet The Timpsons by Timpson". Timpson.co.uk. 23 January 1929. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  3. "'Maverick' shoe magnate John Timpson backs Brexit". telegraph.co.uk. 26 March 2017.
  4. "Some High Street names won't be back, warns Timpson". BBC News. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  5. "Sir John Timpson warns some High Street retailers won't survive Covid-19 lockdown". www.msn.com. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  6. "Keynote Speaker – John Timpson CBE - The Diocese of St. Asaph". Stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  7. "Alex Timpson, children's campaigner - obituary". Telegraph. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  8. "Business Profile: Timpson, the eccentric cobbler - Telegraph". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  9. "John Timpson, CBE". Women's Business Council.
  10. "No. 61962". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 2017. p. B2.
  11. James Quinn (7 June 2017). "Knighthood for John Timpson, the cobbler who fostered 90 childen". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
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