Douglas John David Perkins (born April 1943) is a Welsh billionaire businessman. He is the co-founder of Specsavers, an international optical retail chain.
Doug Perkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 1943 (age 81) Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales |
| Education | Llanelli Boys Grammar School |
| Alma mater | Cardiff University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | co-founder of Specsavers |
| Spouse | Mary Perkins |
| Children | 3 |
Early life
editDouglas John David Perkins was born in April 1943[1] in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales.[2][3] His father was a policeman and his grandparents were farmers in the county.[4] He was educated at the Llanelli Boys Grammar School, and he graduated from Cardiff University.[3]
Career
editPerkins began his career as an optometrist in Llanelli and Carmarthen.[3] In the 1970s, he took over his father-in-law's optician store in Bristol and subsequently opened 22 stores.[3]
Perkins co-founded Specsavers with his wife Mary Perkins in 1984.[3] The company became an international chain of opticians, making them both billionaires. As of April 2016, they have an estimated wealth of £1.55 billion according to the Sunday Times Rich List.[2] In spite of being a billionaire, Perkins calls himself "working-class."[4]
Personal life
editPerkins lives in Guernsey with his wife Mary.[3] They have a son, John, and two daughters, Cathy and Julie.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Douglas John David PERKINS - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
- ^ a b c "Rich List 2016". The Sunday Times Magazine. April 2016. p. 31.
- ^ a b c d e f "Specsavers billionaire Doug Perkins's eye for wealth". BBC News. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ a b Harries, Robert (10 October 2017). "The unassuming Welshman who is actually a billionaire". WalesOnline. Retrieved 22 January 2018.