Who is Jack Petchey?
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Jack Petchey is one of the UK's most successful businessmen. Born in East London in July 1925, Jack came from a working class background with very few advantages. From an early age he showed the entrepreneurial skills that have aided his success.
In 1937 a 12-year-old Jack was prosecuted at East Ham Magistrates Court for working under age. The prosecution evidence was that Jack was carrying vegetables, i.e. tomatoes, the defence being that tomatoes were a fruit - not a vegetable. The case was dismissed!
"You'll never make a businessman"!
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Having left school at 14 Jack worked as an office boy before joining the Fleet Air Arm in 1943. At the end of the Second World War Jack left the Navy and became a clerk. He applied for a management position but was told by the personnel officer of his firm: "you'll never make a businessman"!
So Jack Petchey decided to go it alone. With £60 to his name, he bought a motor car and founded his first Car Hire business. From there a thriving Car Sales business was formed. Jack eventually branched into property and in 1969 was introduced to the idea of a holiday complex in the Algarve, Portugal, which he still runs to this day.
Having just celebrated his 85th birthday, there is no sign of Jack Petchey slowing down. He currently manages Petchey Holdings Plc and Petchey Leisure, a management company for several holiday resorts in Spain, Portugal and the UK.
In 1999, he set up the Jack Petchey Foundation as he wanted to give opportunities to young people in London. Over the last ten years he has donated over £65million to schools, clubs and projects which benefit young people in London. In 2004 Jack was awarded an OBE at Buckingham Palace, by Her Majesty The Queen.
Jack Petchey's autobiography '50/50 Man - The Jack Petchey Story' is available through the Foundation. For more information, click here >>