Sir Jack Petchey CBE, founder of The Jack Petchey Foundation, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Thursday 27 June 2024.

He will be greatly missed by friends and family, staff and the many young people, teachers and leaders whose lives have been impacted by Sir Jack’s vision and the work of his Foundation.

Sir Jack was one of the UK’s most successful businessmen, with entrepreneurial ventures spanning travel, property and investments. He founded companies such as Petchey Holdings Plc and Petchey Leisure, which turned into a multi-million-pound empire. But he is perhaps best known by many for his commitment to supporting youth projects, predominantly across his home turf of London and Essex, through the trust that bears his name, The Jack Petchey Foundation.  

From humble beginnings, Sir Jack was born in 1925 to poor working-class parents in Plaistow, East London, and grew up in Manor Park. Sir Jack left school at the age of 13 with no qualifications and worked for a local greengrocer before enlisting as a Police Messenger in East Ham when the Second World War broke out in 1939. In 1943, he volunteered for service in the Royal Navy, joining the training ship HMS Collingwood. Initially serving as an Electrical Air Fitter as part of the Fleet Air Arm, he rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

After leaving the forces, Sir Jack became a clerk. When he later applied for a management position at the same firm, the personnel officer told him, “you are not management material!”. But Sir Jack refused to give up. With £60 to his name, he spent his discharge gratuity from the Navy on his first second-hand car and started his own taxi business. From there, a thriving car sales company was formed, and he worked long and hard, eventually branching off into property.

It was his dedication to philanthropy and a fundamental belief in the need to support young people that will be at the forefront of many people’s minds now and far into the future. The Jack Petchey Foundation was established in 1999 and has invested over £170 million to date to support youth projects across London and Essex.

Sir Jack strongly believed that by rewarding success and helping young people feel positive about themselves and their role in society, they would have the confidence and inspiration to reach their full potential. Sir Jack's legacy will be the continuing work of his Foundation, supporting and celebrating young people.

Sir Jack will be sorely missed. To read more about The Jack Petchey Foundation, please visit our website here.