Graham Kirkham, Baron Kirkham

Graham Kirkham, Baron Kirkham
Born	(1944-12-14) December 14, 1944 England
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, businessman
Years active	1969–present
Known for	Founder of Northern Upholstery; chairman of DFS

Graham Kirkham, Baron Kirkham, KCVO (born 14 December 1944), is a prominent English entrepreneur, founder of Northern Upholstery, and currently serves as chairman of the sofa retail company DFS.

Previously holding the role of executive chairman at DFS Furniture Company Ltd, Kirkham is recognized as a major financial backer and political supporter of the Conservative Party. He ranks among the wealthiest residents of South Yorkshire, with an estimated net worth around £1 billion. Following the sale of DFS in April 2010, he invested heavily in Iceland supermarkets and expanded his business interests into the food industry by acquiring the Whitby fish and chip shop franchise.

Early life

Kirkham was adopted at just three weeks old and is the sole son of miner Tom Kirkham from Edlington and his wife Elsie. He attributes much of his success to being raised by a supportive family environment.

After passing the Eleven plus examination, he attended Maltby Grammar School with ambitions to become a pilot in the Royal Air Force. However, lacking the necessary five O-level qualifications, he began employment at a local furniture retailer.

Northern Upholstery

In 1969, Kirkham spotted a chance to eliminate warehouse intermediaries by selling furniture directly to customers at reduced prices. He launched Northern Upholstery by producing furniture above a snooker hall in Carcroft and selling it on-site below.

DFS

By 1983, Direct Furnishing Supplies, based in Darley Dale, had become a key supplier for Northern Upholstery. When Direct Furnishing Supplies collapsed burdened with £900,000 in debts on a turnover of £3 million, Kirkham acquired the company. He rebranded Northern Upholstery as DFS, which grew to operate 63 stores employing 2,000 staff.

In 1993, DFS was listed on the stock exchange with a valuation of £271 million; Kirkham and his family trusts retained just over 50% ownership. The following year, their family residence was targeted in South Yorkshire’s largest armed robbery, resulting in £2.4 million worth of cash and valuables stolen but subsequently recovered.

After DFS experienced its first profit drop in nearly three decades in 1998, it bounced back with a 79% profit rise by 2000. Confronting evolving private equity trends, Kirkham took DFS private once more by leveraging a 9.46% family shareholding alongside £150 million from family funds in a £496 million transaction. He described the company as both his "hobby" and entrepreneurial passion.

On 23 April 2010, DFS was sold to Advent International, a private equity firm, for about £500 million.

Conservative party donations

Kirkham has been a notable donor to the Conservative Party since the 1980s. By 1996, he had extended an interest-free loan of £4 million to the party and was knighted in the 1996 New Year Honours. At that time, opposition figure John Prescott criticized the knighthood as a reward for financial contributions. Kirkham maintained that the honour acknowledged his charitable involvement with The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the Animal Health Trust. In September 1996, he clarified to The Daily Telegraph that the £4 million was actually a loan from his son Michael which was repaid within weeks. Additionally, in 1994 Kirkham invested £200,000 into Prince Edward’s Ardent TV company driven by a "burning desire to succeed."

On 23 July 1999, he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Kirkham, of Old Cantley in South Yorkshire. This peerage came on recommendation from Tory leader William Hague, who had utilized Kirkham's helicopter during election campaigns.

Charitable Activities

During the 1998/99 period, Kirkham distributed charitable funds amounting to £455,000, predominantly via the Graham Kirkham Foundation. His philanthropic contributions include a £225,000 grant supporting cancer research at Bradford University, funding for a gallery at the River and Rowing Museum located in Henley on Thames, and active roles as Deputy Patron and trustee of Outward Bound. Additionally, he holds the position of Chairman of Trustees and is a committed advocate for The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) across the UK. Kirkham also presides as president of The Friendly Band in Sowerby Bridge.

In recognition of his dedication to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the Outward Bound Trust, Kirkham was honored as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2001 Birthday Honours. He was further elevated to Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for his ongoing commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

Private Life

Kirkham wed Pauline Fisher in 1965, and together they have two children.

He possesses two residences in South Yorkshire: one situated on Cadeby Road, Sprotbrough, and another being Cantley Hall—a Grade II*-listed Georgian mansion acquired in 1990 from motor dealer John Carnell. Local residents expressed concerns regarding a privacy wall constructed by Kirkham and disturbances caused by a fireworks display in 1998 featuring singer Elaine Paige.

His homes are furnished with sofas from DFS, and his art collection includes notable pieces such as John Constable's View of the Stour valued at £6.7 million and Thomas Gainsborough's Peasants Going To Market worth £3.5 million. In 1997, he lent paintings by Édouard Manet and Orazio Gentileschi to the Getty Center in Los Angeles.

A passionate dog lover, Kirkham has owned Dalmatians for many years and has been affiliated with the Kennel Club since 1995. While leading DFS, the company served as principal sponsor of Crufts in 2010. He holds the presidency of the Driffield Agricultural Society and frequently takes part in presenting awards at its championship dog shows.

Together with Lord Harris of Peckham, Kirkham co-owns several horses—namely Hello Sanctos, Hello Mr President, Hello M'Lady, Hello Sailor, Hello Unique, and Hello Boyo—all ridden by Scott Brash.

In April 2008, Kirkham was accused of assault following an alleged road rage incident; he denied any wrongdoing and maintained that he was the victim. After a three-day trial concluding in December 2008, he was acquitted of all charges.

Honors

• 1995 – Bestowed Knighthood
• 1995 – Honorary Membership at Emmanuel College, Cambridge
• 1997 – Honorary Fellowship awarded by the Animal Health Trust
• 1997 – Honorary Doctorate conferred by Bradford University
• 1999 – Elevated to Life Peer status as Baron Kirkham
• 2001 – Appointed CVO
• 2004 – Named Yorkshire Television "Yorkshire Man of the Year"
• 2021 – Promoted to KCVO

External links

• Profile of Lord Kirkham at TheyWorkForYou.com
• Current register of Lord Kirkham’s interests at the House of Lords registry