Wetherspoon pub chain founder, Tim Martin, 68, has been named in the New Year Honours list 2024, for his services to hospitality and culture – but little is known about the private life of the business tycoon.
He was born in Norwich, in 1955, and over the years he lived in the UK, New Zealand, and Northern Ireland, attending 11 schools. For his education, he later went on to the University of Nottingham and became a barrister in 1979 but did not choose to follow that profession.
Founding the pub chain in 1979, Tim Martin has been the company’s chairman since 1983, but the entrepreneur’s £448mn net worth started just by running one pub.
His first venue was in Muswell Hill, north London, and was originally called Martin’s Free House, before being renamed JD Wetherspoon the following year.
The chain, which became known for its affordable prices then floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1992.
The pub chain then went from strength to strength, opening more venues across the country. In July 1998, Wetherspoons opened 20 pubs in one month – including seven on the same day.
In 2006, the pub chain launched an idea that carries on to this very day – free WiFi in every branch.
An outspoken supporter of Brexit, Tim was a major donor to the Vote Leave campaign, which was fronted by Boris Johnson and Michael Gove.
During the 2016 campaign, Wetherspoon spent nearly £95,000 on merchandise – pro-Brexit beermats, posters, and booklets.
Not much is known about his personal life but Tim Martin has been married to Felicity Martin for 26 years and lives in Exeter, Devon, with her and their four children.
