Tony Wilkinson (businessman)

Anthony Harwick Wilkinson (born April 1937) is a British businessman, who was the co-owner and former chairman of the British high street chain Wilko.

Tony Wilkinson
Born
Anthony Harwick Wilkinson

April 1937 (age 86)
NationalityBritish
OccupationBusinessman
Years active1960–2005
TitleFormer co-owner & former chairman of retailer Wilko
Board member ofWilko
ChildrenLisa Wilkinson
Parent(s)James Kemsey Wilkinson
Mary Cooper
RelativesKarin Swann (niece)

Early life

Anthony Harwick Wilkinson was born in April 1937,[1] the son of Wilko founder James Kemsey Wilkinson and his wife Mary Cooper.[2]

Career

When Tony Wilkinson retired as chairman of Wilko after 45 years in June 2005, he was replaced by his niece, Karin Swann, and his daughter, Lisa Wilkinson.[3] In 2014, Karin Swann sold her family's 50% holding in the business to Lisa Wilkinson.[4]

In May 2019, the Sunday Times Rich List estimated his net worth at £252 million.[5]

Following his retirement and Karin Swann's share sale, daughter Lisa Wilkinson oversaw the Wilko chain's eventual collapse, as it entered administration on 10 August 2023. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was appointed administrator to the business the same day.[6]

During the administration of the business, it transpired its ownership had taken £77m out of the business in the preceding decade.[7]

References
  1. "WILKO RETAIL LIMITED - Officers (free information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  2. Stephen Butt (30 October 2013). The History of Leicester in 100 People. Amberley Publishing Limited. pp. 118–. ISBN 978-1-4456-1698-8. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  3. "Rich List 2013: No.=16 - Tony Wilkinson (£480m)". Birmingham Post. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  4. Ruddick, Graham (2 August 2014). "Wilkinson family split after 84 years in retail". The Telegraph. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  5. The Sunday Times (12 May 2019). "Rich List 2019: profiles 553-599=, featuring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  6. Retail Gazette (10 August 2023). "Wilko collapses into administration". Retail Gazette. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  7. Retail Gazette (13 August 2023). "Wilko owners took £77m out of business in last decade". Retail Gazette. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
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