In Memory of Sir Jack Petchey CBE

Entrepreneur whose philanthropy touched the lives of over a million young people

Sir Jack Petchey CBE was one of the UK’s most successful businessmen, with entrepreneurial ventures spanning travel, property and investments. He founded companies such as Petchey Holdings Plc and Petchey Leisure which turned into a multi-million-pound empire. But he is perhaps best known by many for his commitment to supporting youth projects, predominantly across London and Essex, through the trust that bears his name, the Jack Petchey Foundation.

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence can do so by visiting https://sirjackpetcheycbe.muchloved.com/

From humble beginnings, Sir Jack was born in 1925 to poor working-class parents in Plaistow, East London and grew up in Manor Park. Despite leaving school at the age of 13 with no qualifications, he had already begun to demonstrate some entrepreneurial skills in working for the local greengrocer at the top of Goldsmith Avenue.

Sir Jack would deliver the fruit and vegetables direct to people’s houses. One day a member of his school board saw him on a delivery run, and the school took the greengrocer and Sir Jack’s parents to East Ham police court to charge them with underage working. The evidence used was that Sir Jack was carrying vegetables, but the case was dismissed under the technicality that he was carrying tomatoes, which are, in fact, a fruit. Sir Jack says for the rest of his life this encouraged him to ‘think outside the box’!

When the Second World War broke out in 1939, Sir Jack enlisted as a Police Messenger in East Ham and joined the Auxiliary Fire Service two years later as a motorcycle messenger. In 1943, he volunteered for service in the Royal Navy, joining the training ship HMS Collingwood. Initially serving as an Electrical Air Fitter as part of the Fleet Air Arm, he rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. A brief stint in the Air Force at RAF Dunmow followed.

After leaving the forces, Sir Jack became a clerk. When he later applied for a management position at the same firm, the personnel officer told him, “you are not management material!”. But Sir Jack refused to give up. With £60 to his name, he spent his discharge gratuity from the Navy on his first second-hand car and started his own taxi business. From there, a thriving car sales company was formed, and he worked long and hard, eventually branching off into property.

Sir Jack did his first property ‘deal’ in 1948 when he purchased his mother’s house from her landlord for £800. He immediately sold the house for £1,200 and moved the family into plusher premises in Manor Park. The new house doubled as an office, which was fitting given Sir Jack’s habit at the time of sleeping behind the front desk so as not to lose any passing trade.

In 1969, Sir Jack found a site near Albufeira, Portugal, and was, with the help of outside investors, the inspiration behind Clube Praia da Oura. It became one of the most popular mixed-use leisure developments in Europe; he took much pride in visiting every month and driving its success. He supported a local orphanage, Pirilampos, and later introduced a charitable foundation in the Algarve.

The success of these companies, combined with some shrewd investors and investments along the way, enabled Sir Jack to be the driving force behind what has become a multi-million-pound empire. He appeared in the top lists of the UK’s most successful business people and his work ethic meant that, aged 93, he still came to the office every day. However, it was his dedication to philanthropy and a fundamental belief in the need to support young people that will be at the forefront of many people’s minds now and far into the future.

The Jack Petchey Foundation was established as a charity in 1999 and has invested over £170 million in grants to support youth projects across London and Essex. Sir Jack used his entrepreneurial skills to deliver a range of innovative schemes for young people involving public speaking, dance, sport and music. The schemes all aim to boost aspirations by rewarding young people’s achievements and encouraging them to take pride in what they have done. The Foundation brings communities together to celebrate their successes, ensuring that young people have a moment of glory witnessed by parents, carers, teachers, youth workers and the wider public.

Sir Jack strongly believed that despite the problems and challenges young people face, focusing on these creates a negative spiral. By rewarding success and helping young people feel positive about themselves and their role in society, he was convinced that they would have the confidence and inspiration to change, overcome adversity and reach their full potential. The projects his Foundation has funded, which will continue in his name, have proved that he was right in that belief time and again.

It was always Sir Jack’s intention to ensure that the Jack Petchey Foundation should continue as his living legacy. In an interview with Third Sector magazine, he indicated that there are enough resources to carry on forever, and there’s no reason why the Jack Petchey Foundation shouldn’t.

Outside of work, he kept a busy lifestyle, played squash until his mid-80s, and applied himself to charity work. He was a keen bridge player throughout his life. His passion for his local football club led to him becoming a Director of West Ham United FC and fuelled his interest in various other clubs.

In 2004, Sir Jack was awarded an OBE at Buckingham Palace by Her Majesty The Queen, for services to young people. In 2011 he was further honoured as a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) by the Queen’s representative, Sir David Brewer, at a presentation attended by hundreds of young people and youth leaders in Kensington Halls. In 2016, he was knighted in recognition of his charitable work.

He was also made an Honorary Freeman of the City of London, Honorary Freeman of the London Borough of Newham, Honorary Fellow of the Universities of East London and Queen Mary College London, given an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Essex, made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Dance, Honorary Commodore, Sea Cadets, Honorary Vice President of Table Tennis England and Patron of UEL’s Entrepreneurship Society.

He is survived by his wife Lady Frances Petchey, his daughters Jackie, Susan and Amanda and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Sir Jack Petchey, entrepreneur, visionary and philanthropist, was born on 19 July, 1925. He died on 27th June 2024, aged 98 – or as he would say, almost 99!

A private funeral service will be held for family and friends. An event to celebrate his life is to be announced in due course. Those wishing to leave a message of condolence can do so by visiting https://sirjackpetcheycbe.muchloved.com/

Sir Jack’s legacy will be the continuing work of his Foundation supporting young people. Donations in memory of Sir Jack can be made via the condolence page.