James Kemsey Wilkinson

James Kemsey Wilkinson
Born	(1906-12-06)6 December 1906 Handsworth,[1] Staffordshire, England
Died	18 December 1997(1997-12-18) (aged 91) Leicester, Leicestershire, England
Occupation	Businessman
Years active	1930–1997
Known for	Founder of retailer Wilko
Spouse	Mary Cooper ​ (m. 1934)​
Children	2 (Tony)

James Kemsey "JK" Wilkinson (6 December 1906 – 18 December 1997) was an English businessman, the founder of the high street chain Wilko. In 2014, it was reported that Wilko had 372 stores, 23,000 employees and annual revenues of £1.5 billion.[2] Wilko collapsed into administration, on 10 August 2023.[3]

Early life

James Kemsey Wilkinson was born on 6 December 1906.[4][5]

Career

Together with his then fiancée, Mary Cooper, he founded Wilkinson Cash Stores Limited in Leicester during 1930, opening their first store there at 151 Charnwood Street.[6] His brother Donald already had a hardware store in Birmingham, and two of his stores in Handsworth later joined the chain.^[citation needed]

In 1932, they opened their second store, in Wigston.[6]

In 1937, his brother John joined as a director.^[citation needed]

He ceased to be a director of Wilko on 18 December 1997 when he died.[5]

Personal life and death

He married Mary Cooper on 22 October 1934 at St Peter's, Highfields, Leicester.^[citation needed]

Their son, Tony Wilkinson was born in 1937.^[citation needed]

Wilkinson died on 18 December 1997, aged 91.^[citation needed]

References

1. "James Kemsey Wilkinson". Retrieved 15 August 2023.
2. Ruddick, Graham (2 August 2014). "Wilkinson family split after 84 years in retail". Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
3. "Wilko to stay open for now in race to save jobs". BBC News. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
4. England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
5. "James Kemsey Wilkinson - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
6. Stephen Butt (30 October 2013). The History of Leicester in 100 People. Amberley Publishing Limited. pp. 118–. ISBN 978-1-4456-1698-8. Retrieved 28 May 2016.

Business positions
Preceded by Founded	Chair of Wilko 1930–1997	Succeeded by Tony Wilkinson
	Owner of Wilko 1930–1997