David Wolfson, Baron Wolfson of Sunningdale
Encyclopedia
David Wolfson, Baron Wolfson of Sunningdale (born 9 November 1935) is a British
politician and businessman.
The son of Charles and Hylda Wolfson was educated in Clifton College
and Trinity College, Cambridge
, where he graduated with a Master of Arts
in economics and law in 1956. He was further educated in Stanford University
, California
, where he received a Master of Business Administration
in 1959.
Wolfson was director of Great Universal Stores from 1973 to 1978 and from 1993 to 2000, and chairman from 1996 to 2000. In 1978 and 1979, he was Secretary to the Shadow Cabinet
and Chief of Staff of the Political Office, 10 Downing Street
, between 1979 and 1985. He was chairman of the Alexon Group plc
from 1982 to 1986, of Next plc from 1990 to 1998, of GUS
from 1996 to 2000, and of William Baird
from 2002 to 2003. Since 2001, Wolfson is non-executive director of Fibernet, and chairman since 2002. For Compco, he was chairman from 1995 to 2003. Knighted in 1984, he was made a life peer
with the title Baron Wolfson of Sunningdale, of Trevose in the County of Cornwall
on 26 March 1991.
Wolfson has married twice, firstly Patricia Rawlings
(now Baroness Rawlings) in 1962, and after their divorce in 1967, he married secondly Susan Davis in the same year. He has two sons and one daughter by his second wife. One of those sons, Simon, followed in his footsteps both as head of Next and as a Conservative life peer, having been created Baron Wolfson of Aspley Guise.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
politician and businessman.
The son of Charles and Hylda Wolfson was educated in Clifton College
Clifton College
Clifton College is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England, founded in 1862. In its early years it was notable for emphasising science in the curriculum, and for being less concerned with social elitism, e.g. by admitting day-boys on equal terms and providing a dedicated...
and Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, where he graduated with a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (Oxbridge)
In the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Dublin, Bachelors of Arts of these universities are admitted to the degree of Master of Arts or Master in Arts on application after six or seven years' seniority as members of the university .There is no examination or study required for the degree...
in economics and law in 1956. He was further educated in Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where he received a Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
in 1959.
Wolfson was director of Great Universal Stores from 1973 to 1978 and from 1993 to 2000, and chairman from 1996 to 2000. In 1978 and 1979, he was Secretary to the Shadow Cabinet
Shadow Cabinet
The Shadow Cabinet is a senior group of opposition spokespeople in the Westminster system of government who together under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition form an alternative cabinet to the government's, whose members shadow or mark each individual member of the government...
and Chief of Staff of the Political Office, 10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is now always the Prime Minister....
, between 1979 and 1985. He was chairman of the Alexon Group plc
Alexon group
Alexon Group plc is a ladies' clothing retailer, based in Luton, England. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange . It is a constituent of the FTSE Fledgling Index....
from 1982 to 1986, of Next plc from 1990 to 1998, of GUS
GUS (retailer)
GUS plc was a FTSE 100 retailing group based in the United Kingdom. GUS is an abbreviation of Great Universal Stores, the company's former name before 2001...
from 1996 to 2000, and of William Baird
William Baird
William Baird may refer to:* William Baird , Conservative MP for Falkirk Burghs* William Alexander Baird , Ontario lawyer and politician* William Teel Baird , New Brunswick historian...
from 2002 to 2003. Since 2001, Wolfson is non-executive director of Fibernet, and chairman since 2002. For Compco, he was chairman from 1995 to 2003. Knighted in 1984, he was made a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
with the title Baron Wolfson of Sunningdale, of Trevose in the County of Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
on 26 March 1991.
Wolfson has married twice, firstly Patricia Rawlings
Patricia Rawlings, Baroness Rawlings
Patricia Elizabeth Rawlings, Baroness Rawlings is a Conservative Party politician and frontbencher in the House of Lords. She was a Member of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1994....
(now Baroness Rawlings) in 1962, and after their divorce in 1967, he married secondly Susan Davis in the same year. He has two sons and one daughter by his second wife. One of those sons, Simon, followed in his footsteps both as head of Next and as a Conservative life peer, having been created Baron Wolfson of Aspley Guise.