Nationality British Children 5 Alma mater University of Bristol Grandparent Arthur Hobhouse | Spouse Kate Hobhouse Term 2012 | |
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Full Name William Arthur Hobhouse Parents Henry Hobhouse, Pamela Hill Similar Kate Hobhouse, Janet Hobhouse, Arthur Hobhouse |
William Arthur Hobhouse (born September 1956) is an English businessman and investor, chairman of the furniture store chain Heal's.
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Early life
He is the son of Henry Hobhouse (1924–2016), and the grandson of Sir Arthur Hobhouse, the Liberal politician. Hobhouse was educated at Bristol University, where he studied Economics and Economic History. He worked for Associated British Foods during university holidays, and the company subsequently paid for his education at business school.
Career
As a retailer, Hobhouse has worked with high street names such as Tie Rack, Whittard of Chelsea, Jack Wills, and Heal's, to restaurants such as Villandry and Le Pain Quotidien. Hobhouse has been the CEO of Tie Rack, and Whittard of Chelsea, as well as chairman of Jack Wills and Explore Learning among others.
Personal life
Hobhouse is married to Kate Hobhouse, daughter of Garry Weston, and chair of Fortnum & Mason and a trustee of the Garfield Weston charitable foundation. They have five children and live in Soho, London.