Anthony Bamford
Anthony Bamford, Baron Bamford | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 23, 1945 United Kingdom |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, businessman |
| Known for | Chairman of J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited (JCB), automobile collector |
Anthony Paul Bamford, Baron Bamford (born 23 October 1945) is a British billionaire entrepreneur and serves as chairman of J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited (JCB). At the age of 30 in 1975, he assumed the roles of chairman and managing director, succeeding his father, Joseph Cyril Bamford. Bamford received a knighthood in 1990. His wealth was estimated at US$9.48 billion in 2021 according to the Sunday Times Rich List. He is also renowned for his extensive automobile collection, which notably includes two extremely rare Ferrari 250 GTO vehicles, each valued at more than $70 million.
Early life and education
Born on 23 October 1945 to Joseph and Marjorie Bamford (née Griffin), Bamford attended Ampleforth College, a private Roman Catholic boarding school. He later pursued higher education at the University of Grenoble.
Business career
In 1974, Bamford initiated bankruptcy proceedings against MP Jeffrey Archer after Archer defaulted on repaying a £172,000 loan lost in a fraudulent stock scheme. Archer subsequently settled the debt through his income as a novelist, prompting Bamford to retract the bankruptcy claim.
In 2000, the European Commission imposed a £22 million fine on JCB for violations of antitrust regulations. Bamford publicly condemned the ruling as "disappointing and wrong." Following an extensive six-year legal dispute, the European Court of Justice confirmed the fine.
Beyond his corporate activities, Bamford is an avid collector of classic Ferrari automobiles and is uniquely distinguished by owning two Ferrari 250 GTO models. He once possessed a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 Grand Prix car driven by Juan Manuel Fangio. In 2006, he showed interest in acquiring Jaguar Cars, but withdrew from negotiations when the deal also involved Land Rover, which he did not wish to purchase.
Just prior to his elevation to the House of Lords, Bamford dissolved Casper Ltd., a British Virgin Islands company he had solely owned since 1994. A company representative clarified that Casper Ltd. neither held assets nor engaged in any commercial operations.
In recognition of his contributions, Bamford was named an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2014.
Politics
Bamford is a significant financial supporter of the UK Conservative Party, with JCB and affiliated entities donating £8.1 million between 2007 and 2017. He personally contributed £1 million ahead of the 2010 General Election. That same year, Prime Minister David Cameron recommended him for a peerage; however, Bamford withdrew his nomination shortly before it was publicized. From 2001 to 2010, JCB Research—a company established by Bamford in 1961—donated over £4.5 million to Conservative politicians despite reportedly having a valuation of only £27,000 at the end of 2010.
In 2012, Bamford championed UK manufacturing by commissioning a report that was submitted directly to David Cameron. In June 2016, he voiced support for Brexit to his workforce and led JCB’s withdrawal from the CBI in October that year due to its opposition to Brexit. Additionally, JCB contributed £100,000 to Vote Leave, the official pro-Brexit campaign group. By May 2021, Bamford declined an invitation to rejoin the CBI, describing it previously as a "waste of time" that failed to represent his business interests.
During the campaign for the 2019 general election, Bamford donated £3,935,984 to the Conservative Party. In 2023, the New Statesman ranked him as the UK’s 33rd most influential right-wing political figure, highlighting that he "collects [both] cars and politicians."
House of Lords
In August 2013, it was announced that Bamford would be appointed to the House of Lords. He officially received the title Baron Bamford of Daylesford in Gloucestershire and of Wootton in Staffordshire on 3 October 2013. His inaugural speech took place on 10 June 2014 during a session debating the Queen's Speech. Subsequently, he contributed to discussions on topics including manufacturing, Brexit, and green hydrogen on four additional occasions.
Lord Bamford stepped down from his duties in the House of Lords in March 2024.
Personal life
Bamford possesses several grand residences such as Daylesford House and Wootton Lodge located in England. In 2004, he acquired Sloane House in Chelsea for £45 million. Although he was associated with offshore tax jurisdictions through sole ownership of Casper Ltd., his representative clarified that the company had been dormant prior to its closure in 2012.
He is married to Carole Whitt, and together they have three children: Joseph "Jo" Cyril Edward, George, and Alice. Jo Bamford is an entrepreneur who established a green hydrogen investment fund following his tenure at the family firm. In 2019, Jo purchased Northern Ireland’s bus manufacturer Wrightbus, recognized for producing London's iconic double-decker buses.
Bamford maintains strong ties with King Charles III as well as former prime ministers Tony Blair, David Cameron, and Boris Johnson. He hosted Johnson’s wedding reception at Daylesford House in 2022 and made a financial contribution of £23,853 towards related expenses.
In 2023, both Bamford and his wife were honored with invitations to participate in the King's procession during Royal Ascot.
Tax investigation
In 2023, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) launched a probe into suspected aggressive tax avoidance involving Bamford and his brother Mark. The investigation centered on shares held within Bermudan family trusts located offshore.
Ghislaine Maxwell connection
In February 2025, documents released by US Attorney General Pam Bondi pertaining to convicted British sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell revealed that Bamford and his wife appeared on the fourth page of Maxwell's contact directory.
Car collection
Bamford is renowned for amassing an exceptional collection of vintage Ferraris valued at more than £260 million. Noteworthy automobiles within his collection include:
- Ferrari 250 GTO s/n 3767
- Ferrari 250 GTO s/n 4399
- Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
- Ferrari F12tdf
- Aston Martin DBR2
- Aston Martin DB4 GT
- Porsche 911 992 GT2 RS
- Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS