Peter Williams | |
---|---|
Born | Peter Richard Michael Williams June 1974 (age 50) |
Nationality | British |
Education | King Edward's School, Birmingham |
Alma mater | University College London |
Known for | co-founder and 52% owner, Jack Wills |
Title | CEO, Jack Wills |
Spouse | Laura 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.
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]
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]
Williams has known his wife, Laura Jane Williams, since he was 12 years old.[10][11][1]