Leonard Steinberg, Baron Steinberg
Encyclopedia
Leonard Steinberg, Baron Steinberg (1 August 1936 - 2 November 2009) was a British
life peer
and multi-millionaire
businessman.
Born in Belfast
on 1 August 1936, Steinberg was the founder and Non-Executive Chairman of Stanley Leisure Ltd. The business was founded in Belfast in 1958, but Steinberg moved to Liverpool
in 1977 when he refused to pay protection money to either republican
or loyalist
paramilitaries, and after he was shot on 23 February 1977 by the Provisional Irish Republican Army
. Despite his move to England, he continued to describe himself thus: "I am Jewish, Northern Irish, and an Ulster Unionist"
Since 2005, Stanley Leisure has seen changes of ownership, with William Hill
buying the bookmaking operations and the Genting Group
buying the casino operation. Steinberg sold a large number of his shares in 2004, but retained 11.3% of the company's stake
.
Steinberg, who then lived in Hale
, was made a Tory
life peer in 2004 with the title Baron Steinberg, of Belfast in the County of Antrim, and had made contributions to the Conservative Party
.
The Northern Ireland Friends of Israel
group was launched with Steinberg as president in March 2009. He spoke of “the longstanding links which connect Northern Ireland and Israel” at that launch.
He was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution
. His personal fortune was estimated as being some £108 million in 2005. He was also the founder and Chairman of Trustees of the Steinberg Family Charitable Trust.
Steinberg died in London on 2 November 2009 while travelling to attend a sitting of the House of Lords
. He is survived by his wife Beryl, two children and grandchildren.
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...
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...
and multi-millionaire
Millionaire
A millionaire is an individual whose net worth or wealth is equal to or exceeds one million units of currency. It can also be a person who owns one million units of currency in a bank account or savings account...
businessman.
Born in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
on 1 August 1936, Steinberg was the founder and Non-Executive Chairman of Stanley Leisure Ltd. The business was founded in Belfast in 1958, but Steinberg moved to Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
in 1977 when he refused to pay protection money to either republican
Irish Republicanism
Irish republicanism is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic.In 1801, under the Act of Union, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
or loyalist
Ulster loyalism
Ulster loyalism is an ideology that is opposed to a united Ireland. It can mean either support for upholding Northern Ireland's status as a constituent part of the United Kingdom , support for Northern Ireland independence, or support for loyalist paramilitaries...
paramilitaries, and after he was shot on 23 February 1977 by the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
. Despite his move to England, he continued to describe himself thus: "I am Jewish, Northern Irish, and an Ulster Unionist"
Since 2005, Stanley Leisure has seen changes of ownership, with William Hill
William Hill (bookmaker)
William Hill plc is one of the largest bookmakers in the United Kingdom. Its headquarters is in the north London suburb of Wood Green and in Leeds, West Yorkshire. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:...
buying the bookmaking operations and the Genting Group
Genting Group
Genting Group is an Asian conglomerate. It comprises four listed entities Genting Group is an Asian conglomerate. It comprises four listed entities Genting Group is an Asian conglomerate. It comprises four listed entities (namely holding company Genting Berhad (MYX:3182) and its member companies...
buying the casino operation. Steinberg sold a large number of his shares in 2004, but retained 11.3% of the company's stake
Stake
Stake may refer to:* @stake, a computer services company* Equity stake, a share or interest in a business or investment* "Stake", a tent peg* Stake -Military:* Sudis , a fortification carried by Roman legionaries...
.
Steinberg, who then lived in Hale
Hale, Greater Manchester
Hale is a village and electoral ward within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford, in Greater Manchester, England. It is contiguous with the southeast of Altrincham, approximately southwest of the city of Manchester....
, was made a Tory
Tory
Toryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...
life peer in 2004 with the title Baron Steinberg, of Belfast in the County of Antrim, and had made contributions to the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
.
The Northern Ireland Friends of Israel
Northern Ireland Friends of Israel
Northern Ireland Friends of Israel is a group dedicated to fostering better relations between Northern Ireland and the State of Israel. It was launched by the deputy ambassador of Israel, Talya Lador-Fresher, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews Henry Grunwald and former First...
group was launched with Steinberg as president in March 2009. He spoke of “the longstanding links which connect Northern Ireland and Israel” at that launch.
He was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution
Royal Belfast Academical Institution
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution, is a Grammar School in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Locally referred to as Inst, the school educates boys from ages 11–18...
. His personal fortune was estimated as being some £108 million in 2005. He was also the founder and Chairman of Trustees of the Steinberg Family Charitable Trust.
Steinberg died in London on 2 November 2009 while travelling to attend a sitting of the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. He is survived by his wife Beryl, two children and grandchildren.
See also
- List of Northern Ireland Members of the House of Lords
- Northern Ireland Friends of IsraelNorthern Ireland Friends of IsraelNorthern Ireland Friends of Israel is a group dedicated to fostering better relations between Northern Ireland and the State of Israel. It was launched by the deputy ambassador of Israel, Talya Lador-Fresher, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews Henry Grunwald and former First...