George Alfred Walker
Encyclopedia
George Alfred Walker was a British businessman. He was the founder of Brent Walker
Walker was born in Stepney
, London the son of a brewery worker. He attended the Jubilee School in Bedford, Essex, leaving at 14 to work in an aircraft factory. He later worked as a salesman in Billingsgate Fish Market
and did his National Service in the Royal Air Force
. Walker was a keen amateur boxer becoming British amateur heavyweight champion in 1951. He turned professional and fought 14 professional fights winning 11 with eight knockouts. Walker then drifted into crime, working for East End gangster, Billy Hill, and eventually being convicted for theft and serving two and a half years in Wormwood Scrubs
.
On release he became the owner of a motor garage and manager for his brother, Billy Walker
a professional heavyweight boxer. Walker launched London's first discothèque, Dolly's in Jermyn Street, and a chain of cafes, Billy's Baked Potato, with his brother.
In 1974 Walker took over the Hackney & Hendon Greyhounds Co and merged it with his interests to form Brent Walker. The company developed the Brent Cross
shopping centre on the site of an old greyhound racing track. Walker sold his equity in Brent Cross in 1979 netting £3.7 million in profit.
Brent Walker had a turbulent career through the 1980s, being worth about 250 million pounds at its zenith but eventually collapsing in 1990 after taking over William Hill Bookmakers
in a leveraged buy out. Walker was accused of fraud after an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office but was cleared of all charges after a lengthy trial in 1995. He was however made bankrupt and moved to Russia where he ran a series of businesses selling cigarettes and perfume and later opening a chain of betting shops.
Walker was married to Jean Maureen Hatton who he knew since he was 16 years old. They had two daughters and a son. Sarah Walker, their eldest daughter, married George Mountbatten, 4th Marquess of Milford Haven
.
Brent Walker
Brent Walker was a UK company which owns various businesses including property, gambling and pubs. It was founded by George Walker, the brother of the boxer, Billy Walker.-George Walker:...
Walker was born in Stepney
Stepney
Stepney is a district of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in London's East End that grew out of a medieval village around St Dunstan's church and the 15th century ribbon development of Mile End Road...
, London the son of a brewery worker. He attended the Jubilee School in Bedford, Essex, leaving at 14 to work in an aircraft factory. He later worked as a salesman in Billingsgate Fish Market
Billingsgate Fish Market
Situated in East London, Billingsgate Fish Market is the United Kingdom's largest inland fish market. It takes its name from Billingsgate, a ward in the south-east of the City of London, where the riverside market was originally established...
and did his National Service in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. Walker was a keen amateur boxer becoming British amateur heavyweight champion in 1951. He turned professional and fought 14 professional fights winning 11 with eight knockouts. Walker then drifted into crime, working for East End gangster, Billy Hill, and eventually being convicted for theft and serving two and a half years in Wormwood Scrubs
Wormwood Scrubs
Wormwood Scrubs, known locally as The Scrubs, is an open space located in the north-eastern corner of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London. It is the largest open space in the Borough, at 80 ha , and one of the largest areas of common land in London...
.
On release he became the owner of a motor garage and manager for his brother, Billy Walker
Billy Walker (boxer)
Billy Walker is a retired English Heavyweight boxer and actor. He was born in London in 1939 and turned professional in 1961 after 39 amateur bouts. His nickname was “Golden Boy”. His professional record was 21 wins , 8 losses and 2 draws...
a professional heavyweight boxer. Walker launched London's first discothèque, Dolly's in Jermyn Street, and a chain of cafes, Billy's Baked Potato, with his brother.
In 1974 Walker took over the Hackney & Hendon Greyhounds Co and merged it with his interests to form Brent Walker. The company developed the Brent Cross
Brent Cross
Brent Cross is an area of north London, in the London Borough of Barnet. It is located near the A41 Brent Cross Flyover over the A406 North Circular Road. Brent Cross is best known for its shopping centre and the proposed Brent Cross Cricklewood development....
shopping centre on the site of an old greyhound racing track. Walker sold his equity in Brent Cross in 1979 netting £3.7 million in profit.
Brent Walker had a turbulent career through the 1980s, being worth about 250 million pounds at its zenith but eventually collapsing in 1990 after taking over William Hill Bookmakers
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:...
in a leveraged buy out. Walker was accused of fraud after an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office but was cleared of all charges after a lengthy trial in 1995. He was however made bankrupt and moved to Russia where he ran a series of businesses selling cigarettes and perfume and later opening a chain of betting shops.
Walker was married to Jean Maureen Hatton who he knew since he was 16 years old. They had two daughters and a son. Sarah Walker, their eldest daughter, married George Mountbatten, 4th Marquess of Milford Haven
George Mountbatten, 4th Marquess of Milford Haven
George Ivar Louis Mountbatten, 4th Marquess of Milford Haven , styled Earl of Medina before 1970, is a British businessman, peer, and current Head of the House of Mountbatten.-Family:...
.
Source
- Obituary: George Walker, Daily Telegraph, 25 March 2011
- David McKittrick "George Walker: Amateur boxing champion who went into business and made millions building the Brent Cross shopping centre", The Independent, 26 March 2011