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Will Hobhouse

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Will Hobhouse
Born
William Arthur Hobhouse

September 1956 (age 68)
NationalityBritish
EducationBristol University
TitleChairman, Heal's
Term2012-2017
SpouseKate Hobhouse
Children5
Parent(s)Henry Hobhouse
Pamela Hill
RelativesGarry Weston (father-in-law)
Sir Arthur Hobhouse (grandfather)

William Arthur Hobhouse (born September 1956)[1] is an English businessman and investor, former chairman of the furniture store chain Heal's. He was appointed High Sheriff of Hertfordshire in March 2017.[2]

Early life

He is the son of Henry Hobhouse (1924–2016), and the grandson of Sir Arthur Hobhouse, the Liberal politician. Hobhouse was educated at Bristol University, where he studied Economics and Economic History. He worked for Associated British Foods during university holidays, and the company subsequently paid for his education at business school.[3]

Career

As a retailer, Hobhouse has worked with high street names such as Tie Rack, Whittard of Chelsea, Jack Wills, and Heal's, to restaurants such as Villandry and Le Pain Quotidien. Hobhouse has been the CEO of Tie Rack, and Whittard of Chelsea, as well as chairman of Jack Wills and Explore Learning among others.[4] In March 2017 Will Hobhouse was appointed High Sheriff of Hertfordshire [2] and his term of office runs until April 2018.

Personal life

Hobhouse is married to Kate Hobhouse, daughter of Garry Weston, and chair of Fortnum & Mason and a trustee of the Garfield Weston charitable foundation. They have five children and lived in Soho, London until 2006 when they moved to Sarratt in Hertfordshire. He has taken an active role in village life, particularly focussing on the village shop and Holy Cross Church.[5][6][7]

References

  1. ^ "HEAL'S PLC - Officers (free information from Companies House)". Beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  2. ^ a b "High Sheriff of Hertfordshire". highsheriffofhertfordshire.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-30.
  3. ^ "CV: Will Hobhouse managing director of tea and coffee retailer whittard of chelsea | Culture". The Independent. 1998-03-19. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  4. ^ Kuchar Swara (2013-10-09). "In Conversation: Will Hobhouse, CEO Heal's". PORT Magazine. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  5. ^ Katie Law (2013-11-07). "Heal's chairman Will Hobhouse: my design London | Design news | Home & garden". Homes and Property. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  6. ^ "FORTNUM & MASON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY - Officers (free information from Companies House)". Beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  7. ^ "Trouble in store for protesters top target | News | London Evening Standard". Standard.co.uk. 2011-03-30. Retrieved 2016-05-18.