Tom Cowie
Sir Tom Cowie was the honorary life president of the Arriva Group, formerly know as Cowie Group plc. His father started the business, repairing bicycle punctures around the streets of Sunderland and opening a motorcycle showroom in 1948.
In 1994 the business had a turnover of £934 million.
In September 2000, the University of Sunderland renamed its St Peter's Campus the "Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's", after the local businessman who was one of its primary supporters.
Donations
Cowie was a major financial supporter of the Conservative Party gifting them £501,000 in 2005 making him the fourth largest political donor in that year.[1]
| Date | Amount | Party donated to | Subsidiary of party |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08/01/2003 | £50,000 | Conservative Party | Central party |
| 15/06/2004 | £51,500 | Conservative Party | Central party |
| 30/11/2004 | £1,000 | Conservative Party | Central party |
| 15/04/2005 | £500,000 | Conservative Party | Central party |
| 02/12/2005 | £1,500 | Conservative Party | Central party |
| 09/11/2006 | £25,500 | Conservative Party | Central party |
| 10/12/2007 | £5,000 | Conservative Party | Sunderland North |
Despite backing David Cameron's leadership bid in 2005, Cowie announced in August 2007 he would stop donating to the party because of Cameron's 'arrogant, Old Etonian' style of leadership.[3]
Notes
- ↑ Philip Beresford and Stephen Boyd, The Top 30 Political Donors, The Rich List 2005; Pg. 36, The Sunday Times, April 23, 2006
- ↑ Electoral Commission, Donation Search, accessed 11 February 2015
- ↑ BBC News, Donor condemns Cameron leadership, 7 August 2007, accessed 11 February 2015
