Page 22 - Yorkshire Rich List 2017

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Steve Parkin £250m
2016
Position: 29 £185m
CHANGE OF TACK: Former butcher and miner Steve Parkin founded Leeds-based Clipper Logistics in 1992.
Shares in Clipper Logistics – the company founded by Steve Parkin – have rocketed in value since
the business floated in 2014. In less than three years the value of the retail logistics and returns company has increased by almost 300 per cent.
Shares were further boosted in October when Clipper won a three-year contract with Asos to handle returns from its Polish business. The contract is expected to create 350 jobs.
Former Middleton miner Mr Parkin, 56, established the Leeds-based logistics company in 1992 as a start-up. The business floated in 2014 when he sold 80 per cent of his shares, pocketing £65m. His current stake is worth at least £120m.
He remains executive chairman of the business which services the retail sector, providing storage facilities and a “boomerang” returned goods operation. It is one of the UK’s leading retail supply chain specialists and turns over £300m a year, employing almost 3,500 people.
A er Clipper floated, Mr Parkin announced plans to invest in successful Yorkshire businesses through his private equity vehicle Knaresborough
Investments. His first investment was a 25 per cent stake in Leeds-based interiors business Southerns.
As well as the logistics business, Leeds-born Mr Parkin owns a private stud farm at Branton Court, North Yorkshire.
He also has a commercial vehicle sales operation, and a £30m holding in a venture to build an office complex in Leeds
He is a lifelong Leeds United fan and failed a trial there when he was 14. He considered buying the Elland Road club 10 years ago but pulled out a er inspecting its books during due diligence. He showed interest again in 2013 and 2015.
His first job, straight from Ma hew Murray High School aged 15, was as a trainee butcher with Asda. But he discovered he could earn more money down the pit, so he became a miner at Rothwell. A er 18 months he obtained his HGV licence and ran his own delivery business.
He is married to Joanne, who he met in a pub in Guiseley, and they have four children. He is
a director of Guiseley football club, drives a red Ferrari F12 and has a private jet and a helicopter.
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Malcolm Walker and family £235m
2016
Position: 27 £210m
It was case of ballcocks at dawn when Victoria Plum, the online plumbing business founded
by ex-professional rugby league player Malcolm Walker, sued Liverpool-based counterpart Victoria Plumbing for trademark infringement at the end of last year.
The case went to the High Court, and Victorian Plumbing was judged to have created confusion among consumers searching online for Victoria Plum a er Victorian Plumbing paid to advertise infringing text in search engine results. Victoria Plum – which now calls itself VictoriaPlum.com – is seeking damages.
Plumbing magnate Mr Walker shouldn’t be confused with Iceland supermarket founder Sir Malcolm Walker – Yorkshire is blessed with two multi-millionaires with the same name.
Hull-based Victoria Plum is one of the country’s largest online and mail order bathroom suppliers, turning over more than £70m a year.
Mr Walker was a director of the company but stepped down in 2014. His son Jason was chief executive but stepped down last year to be
replaced by Paul McClenaghan. His other son Shane is a director.
Set up in 1999, Victoria Plum makes and supplies a range of bathroom products to the public and trade. In 2014 the company secured investment from US private equity group TPG Capital which ploughed £200m into a joint venture to accelerate its growth.
Victoria Plum is part of the Walker Group which hit the headlines in 2011 when it relaunched MFI as an online business a er acquiring the brand for just £250,000 two years earlier. The group
also acquired rights to the Focus DIY brand for £300,000. Walker’s other brands include Douglas James, Walker Modular, Aquatherm and Nobleoak, as well as bo led water brand Powwow.
VictoriaPlum.com makes a virtue of the fact that it has no expensive showrooms or stores and so is able to offer value for money. The firm has its headquarters in Hessle and a distribution centre in Hull.
Mr Walker played professional rugby league for Hull FC in the 1970s.
BATHING TIME: Victoria Plum makes and supplies bathroom products to the public and trade.
22 the magazine TUESDAY NOVEMBER 28 2017
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
SIMON HULME