Running a company worth £1.8 billion, entrepreneur Sir Anthony Bamford stormed into the City & Guilds Rich List this year. Bamford, who leads JCB, the family run construction equipment group, has an estimated personal wealth of £1.95 million. Yet this amazing career began very simply, with a two-year vocational apprenticeship at Massey Ferguson in France before Bamford went on to work at JCB's Rochester headquarters in 1964.
In his role at the top of the family business, Bamford has seen JCB's sales rise 28 per cent to £2.25 billion with production hitting nearly 68,000 machines in the last year alone. This gives JCB a global market share of 10.4%, making it the third-largest plant manufacturer in the world.
Bamford still has big plans for the future of JCB. Currently seeking planning consent to redevelop its 21-acre heavy products plant in the centre of Uttoxeter, the factory will be relocated to a new £40 million creating up to 100 new jobs at JCB.
