Robert Edmiston
Robert Edmiston, Baron Edmiston | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 6, 1946 |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, philanthropist, politician |
| Known for | Founder of IM Group, Christian Vision, Grace Academies; Life Peer in House of Lords |
Robert Norman Edmiston, Baron Edmiston (born 6 October 1946) is a British billionaire entrepreneur in the automotive sector, operating primarily in the West Midlands. He is recognized for establishing various religious and educational charitable organizations, notably including Christian Vision.
The Sunday Times Rich List of 2021 estimated Edmiston's fortune at £897 million.
Business activities
Edmiston's fortune originated from his leadership of IM Group, which specializes in car imports, alongside IM Properties. In 1974, while serving as finance director at sports car firm Jensen Motors, he utilized a £6,000 redundancy payment following the company's collapse to launch International Motors. This venture secured UK distribution rights for Subaru and Isuzu vehicles. Subsequently, he diversified into property development and vehicle financing. Currently, IM Group's operations are overseen by his son, Andrew Edmiston.
Charitable activities
A committed Evangelical Christian, Edmiston founded and has been a major benefactor of Christian Vision, an international evangelical charity headquartered in Solihull, West Midlands, founded in 1988.
Grace Academies
Edmiston supports three secondary schools within England's academy framework—Grace Academy, Coventry, Grace Academy, Solihull, and Grace Academy, Darlaston—through two additional charitable trusts. He serves as chair of governors for all three institutions and contributed £2 million to sponsor each academy. These schools operate under a Christian framework.
In 2013, these academies faced criticism due to policies perceived as reminiscent of the repealed anti-gay legislation known as Section 28.
Between 2007 and 2009, Grace Academy Solihull awarded contracts worth £281,000 to IM Group for payroll and management services without engaging in competitive tendering processes; during this time, the academy also donated £53,000 to Christian Vision. Edmiston defended these arrangements by explaining that the school lacked sufficient payroll capacity and that a Christian Vision employee was assigned to oversee the project on a cost basis. The Department for Education and Skills did not provide an explanation for the exemption from tendering requirements.
By 2014, payments exceeding £1 million had been made by the three academies to companies connected to Edmiston, trustees of the academies, or their family members. For instance, a consultancy firm owned by Edmiston's brother-in-law received more than £367,000 over six years. Additionally, charities affiliated with Edmiston were paid over £170,000. School representatives stated that these entities contributed to development efforts and supplied office facilities. These financial dealings prompted concerns regarding insufficient oversight of academy finances by the Department for Education. Shadow Schools Minister Kevin Brennan urged swift governmental intervention to safeguard public funds amid rapid growth of academies.
Politics
Edmiston has been a prominent donor to the Conservative Party, providing a £2 million loan that was subsequently converted into a donation. He has also engaged with the Midlands Industrial Council, a Conservative campaign group.
In 2005, The Times included him among candidates proposed for working peerages; however, his appointment was blocked due to the "Cash for Peerages" controversy and objections from HMRC relating to a tax dispute involving IM Group.
On 19 November 2010, Edmiston was appointed as a Life Peer with the title Baron Edmiston, of Lapworth in Warwickshire, taking his seat as a Conservative member in the House of Lords. During a 2013 debate on same-sex marriage in the Lords, Lord Edmiston expressed opposition based on concerns about wider ramifications.
He retired from parliamentary duties on 22 July 2015 and subsequently moved into "semi-retirement" in Portugal in 2016.
External links
- 1946 births
- Living people
- British billionaires
- British real estate entrepreneurs
- English business figures
- English philanthropists
- Individuals from Coleshill, Warwickshire
- Conservative Party (UK) life peers
- English evangelical Christians
- Individuals listed in the Paradise Papers
- Life peers appointed by Elizabeth II
- Peers retired under the House of Lords Reform Act 2014