Mark Pears

Mark Pears
Born1962 (age 61–62)
NationalityBritish
EducationCity of London School
OccupationBusinessman
Known forCEO, William Pears Group
SpouseDebra Groves
Children2
FamilyTrevor Pears (brother)
Bernard Pears (grandfather)

Mark Andrew Pears CBE (born 1962) is a British billionaire businessman, CEO of the privately held William Pears Group since 1984.

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] His mother, Clarice, 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 surname 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]

In 2014, he had a net worth of £2.1 billion.[12]

Philanthropy

In 1992, he co-founded the Pears Foundation, together with his brothers. Pears is a trustee of the British Museum.[13]

Personal life

In 1987, he married Debra Groves at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue.[6] They live in Totteridge, London.[9]

Honours

He was appointed CBE in the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours, "For services to Business and to Charity".[14]

References

  1. ^ "Company Overview of The William Pears Group of Companies Limited". Bloomberg. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Mark Andrew Pears". Companycheck. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  3. ^ Boggan, Steve (18 May 1998). "Secretive world of landlady who is richer than the Queen". The Independent. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  4. ^ a b Murray, Paula (7 December 2014). "EXCLUSIVE: Scots city to receive £100k due to charity's family ties". Sunday Express. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  5. ^ "Pears family hopes banking plan is fruitful". The Telegraph. 24 January 2010.
  6. ^ a b Sheinman, Anna (25 April 2013). "What the rich list doesn't tell you". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  7. ^ Jones, Nick (9 April 2013). "New owner for the Spires Shopping Centre". barnetsociety.org.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  8. ^ "Mark Pears". Globalrealestate.org. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  9. ^ a b 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.
  10. ^ "No. 34711". The London Gazette. 17 October 1939. p. 7001.
  11. ^ Quinn, James (12 June 2011). "Pears family comes out of the property shadows". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  12. ^ Jefford, Kasmira. "Mysterious Pears dynasty backs new venture to build £1bn of London homes". City AM. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  13. ^ "Trustee: Mark Pears, CBE". The British Museum.
  14. ^ "Queen's birthday honours list 2014: GCB, DBE and CBE". The Guardian. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2015.