David Wolfson, Baron Wolfson of Sunningdale

Not to be confused with David Wolfson (Lord Wolfson of Tredegar), KC

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This article is part of the Revolving Door project of Spinwatch.

David Wolfson, Baron Wolfson of Sunningdale (9 November 1935 - 10 March 2021)) was a British politician and businessman. He was Thatcher's Chief of Staff from 1979 to 1985. He was Chairman of Next plc from 1990 to 1998 and Great Universal Stores from 1996 to 2000. Along with his two sons Simon and Andrew he is a trustee of the The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust, a grant making charity founded by his father which funds right-wing and Zionist organisations.

He became a Conservative peer in the House of Lords on the 26 March 1991.

Education

Clifton School, Bristol, Trinity College Cambridge (MA), Stanford University (MBA)

Career

Wolfson joined Great Universal Stores plc in 1960, and was director 1973-78 and 1993-2000, chairman 1996-2000. His uncle Isaac Wolfson was a directors at GUS when he joined, becoming Managing director, shortly thereafter. Later, after Isaac's death (in 1991) and the retirement of his son Leonard Wolfson (in 1996), David took over as Chairman from his cousin.

He was Secretary to Margaret Thatcher's shadow cabinet 1978-79, and chief of staff Political Office 10 Downing St 1979-85;

He was subsequently chairman: Alexon Group plc (formerly Steinberg Group plc) 1982-86, Next plc 1990-98 (non-exec director 1989-98); non-exec dir: Stewart Wrightson Holdings plc 1985-87, Compco Holdings plc 1995-2003, Body Metrics Ltd 2000-02, Avocet Capital Management Ltd 2001-02, Fibernet Group plc 2001-

Affiliations

• David and Jennifer Sieff Charitable Trust

Interests

• Agrifirma Brazil Ltd
• Adviser, Oakley Capital Ltd
• Trustee, Bedford Estate
• Woburn Estates Ltd