James Kemsey "JK" Wilkinson (6 December 1906 – 18 December 1997) was an English businessman, the founder of the high street chain Wilko. In 2014, it was reported that Wilko had 372 stores, 23,000 employees and annual revenues of £1.5 billion.^[2] Wilko collapsed into administration, on 10 August 2023.^[3]

Early life

James Kemsey Wilkinson was born on 6 December 1906.^[4][5]

Career

Together with his then fiancée, Mary Cooper, he founded Wilkinson Cash Stores Limited in Leicester during 1930, opening their first store there at 151 Charnwood Street.^[6] His brother Donald already had a hardware store in Birmingham, and two of his stores in Handsworth later joined the chain.^{[citation needed]}

In 1932, they opened their second store, in Wigston.^[6]

In 1937, his brother John joined as a director.^{[citation needed]}

He ceased to be a director of Wilko on 18 December 1997 when he died.^[5]

Personal life and death

He married Mary Cooper on 22 October 1934 at St Peter's, Highfields, Leicester.^{[citation needed]}

Their son, Tony Wilkinson was born in 1937.^{[citation needed]}

Wilkinson died on 18 December 1997, aged 91.^{[citation needed]}