Mark Pears
Mark Andrew Pears CBE (born 1962) is a British billionaire businessman, CEO of the privately held William Pears Group since 1984.
Mark Pears | |
---|---|
Born | 1962 (age 57–58) |
Nationality | British |
Education | City of London School |
Occupation | Businessman |
Known for | CEO, William Pears Group |
Net worth | £2.1 billion |
Spouse(s) | Debra Groves |
Parent(s) | Clive Pears Clarice Talisman Castle |
Family | Trevor Pears (brother) Bernard Pears (grandfather) |
Early life
Mark Andrew Pears[1] was born in 1962,[2] the son of Clive Pears (died 1984) and Clarice Talisman Castle (1933–1999), and the grandson of Bernard Pears.[3][4][5] Clarice Talisman Castle was born in and grew up in Lochside Street, Shawlands, Glasgow, the daughter of Abraham Castle, a dealer in electrical and wireless appliances, and his wife Hannah.[4]
He grew up in Hendon[6] and was educated at the City of London School.[7][8]
Career
The William Pears Group was founded in 1952, by his grandfather Bernard Pears (who changed his name from Schleicher in 1939)[9][10] and his father Clive Pears, and is run by Mark Pears with his younger brothers Trevor and David.
Mark Pears has run the company since his father died in 1984, when he was aged 21.[11]
According to The Daily Telegraph, Pears won't allow his photo to be taken, or say which of the over 212 companies of which he is a director[12], a "complex labyrinth of operating and investment companies", is the main holding company or what the group's annual profit might be.[11]
In 2014, he had a net worth of £2.1 billion.[13]
Personal life
In 1987, he married Debra Groves at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue.[6] They live in Totteridge, London.[9]
Philanthropy
In 1992, he founded the Pears Foundation, together with brothers. In the year to April 2014, it donated £17.1 million to various causes.[14]
Honours
He was awarded a CBE in the 2014 Queen's birthday honours list, "For services to Business and to Charity".[15]
References
- "Company Overview of The William Pears Group of Companies Limited". Bloomberg. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- "Mark Andrew Pears". Companycheck. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- Boggan, Steve (18 May 1998). "Secretive world of landlady who is richer than the Queen". The Independent. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
- Murray, Paula (7 December 2014). "EXCLUSIVE: Scots city to receive £100k due to charity's family ties". Sunday Express. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/7067460/Pears-family-hopes-banking-plan-is-fruitful.html
- Sheinman, Anna (25 April 2013). "What the rich list doesn't tell you". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
- Jones, Nick. "New owner for the Spires Shopping Centre". barnetsociety.org.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
- "Mark Pears". Globalrealestate.org. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
- Cohen, David (13 February 2012). "Let's all make it a bumper year for good causes, says man who gave away £30m". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34711/page/7001/data.pdf
- Quinn, James (12 June 2011). "Pears family comes out of the property shadows". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- "Mark Andrew PEARS – Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)". Companies House, Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- Jefford, Kasmira. "Mysterious Pears dynasty backs new venture to build £1bn of London homes". City AM. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
- "Property firm William Pears doubles charity aid as it reveals big jump in turnover | This is Money". Daily Mail. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- "Queen's birthday honours list 2014: GCB, DBE and CBE". The Guardian. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2015.