Tom Farmer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Tom Farmer
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| Born | 10 July 1940 Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland
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| Died | 9 May 2025 (aged 84) Edinburgh, ScotlandUK
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| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1964–2025 |
| Title | CEO of Kwik Fit (1971–2002) Non-executive director of MyTravel Group (1994–2007) Director of Scottish Power (2009–2017) |
| Spouse(s) | Anne, Lady Farmer |
| Children | 1 daughter 1 son |
Sir Thomas Farmer (born July 10, 1940 – died May 9, 2025) was a famous Scottish businessman. He was known for creating the car repair company Kwik Fit and for helping his local community.
Contents
Early Life and First Business
Tom Farmer grew up in a large family in Scotland. In 1964, he started his first business, which sold car tyres. He worked hard and sold this business a few years later. After that, he moved to the United States for a short time. However, he soon realized he missed the challenge of building something new.
Building Kwik Fit
In 1971, Tom Farmer decided to start a new company called Kwik Fit. This company focused on quick car repairs, especially tyres. Kwik Fit grew very fast. It opened new centres in many places, including the Netherlands in 1975.
Tom Farmer was recognized for his success. In 1989, he was named the Scottish Businessman of the Year. Kwik Fit became the biggest independent company for tyres and car repairs in the world. It had over 2,000 centres in 18 different countries. In 1999, Tom Farmer sold Kwik Fit to the Ford car company.
Helping Hibernian Football Club
Tom Farmer also played a big role in saving Hibernian, a professional football club in Edinburgh. In the early 1990s, the club was in serious financial trouble. Tom Farmer invested a lot of money to help the club. He made sure it could keep going and even helped improve its stadium, Easter Road.
He once said that he wasn't a huge football fan himself. But he felt it was important for the community that Hibernian Football Club continued to exist. He learned that his own grandfather had helped save the club from financial problems about 100 years earlier. In 2019, he sold most of his ownership in the club to an American businessman.
Community Work and Awards
Tom Farmer was known for his generous spirit and for giving back to his community. He received many important awards and honours for his work:
- In 1997, he was made a Knight by Queen Elizabeth. This means he was given the title "Sir."
- In 2009, he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO). This was for his work as the chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, a program that helps young people develop skills and confidence.
- He also became the first Scot to receive the Andrew Carnegie Medal for philanthropy. This award celebrates people who use their wealth to help others.
- From 2007 to 2016, Sir Tom was the first Chancellor of Edinburgh’s Queen Margaret University. This is a special leadership role at a university.
Personal Life
Sir Tom Farmer was married to Anne Scott, and they lived in Edinburgh. They had a daughter and a son, and four grandchildren. Lady Farmer passed away in 2023. Sir Tom also owned a small island called Inchkeith in the Firth of Forth.
Death
Sir Tom Farmer passed away peacefully at his home in Edinburgh on May 9, 2025.
