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Richard Walker (businessman)

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Richard Malcolm Walker OBE (born 5 August 1980[1]) is the executive chairman of the privately held British Iceland supermarket chain of predominately frozen food retailers. He is the son of the company's founder Malcolm Walker and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor, prior to joining Iceland.[2][3][4][5][6] In 2023 he expressed an interest in standing for Parliament as a Conservative,[7] but later left the party.

Personal life

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Walker was born on 5 August 1980[1] and is the son of Malcolm Walker, who founded Iceland[8] in 1970. He graduated in geography from Durham University in 2001, and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor.[5][9] He is married with two children.[5]

He is chair of the environmental campaign group Surfers Against Sewage.[10]

When invited by New Scientist in 2021 to choose one of the "best popular science books" he nominated Enric Sala's The Nature of Nature.[11]

He has said that the best advice he has been given was from his father, who said "Never, ever, ever, ever give up".[5]

Education

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Walker holds a BA (Hons) in Geography from Durham University (St Aidan's College), where he served as Social Committee Chair in 2000.[12] He later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Real Estate Management at London South Bank University while working at Jones Lang LaSalle.[citation needed] In 2022, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Bedfordshire[citation needed] and became an Honorary Fellow of University College London.[citation needed]

Career

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Walker co-founded the property company Bywater in 2006, naming it after the street where he lived at the time.[13] As of 2022 he is still its chair though he stepped back from day-to-day involvement in 2013.[14][13]

He joined Iceland, which his father Malcolm Walker had founded in 1970, after his father regained control of the company in 2012.[13] He worked on the shop floor and in store management before becoming managing director.[5]

In March 2019, Walker became one of 127 new members to join the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders program.[15]

In 2021 he published The Green Grocer, which recounted his career and his ideas about business and the environment.[16] Chris Packham described it as "A remarkable insight: honest, pragmatic, hopeful and realistic",[3] and the Financial Times' reviewer called it "an honest and positive book".[17]

In January 2023, Walker was appointed as executive chairman of Iceland as his father Malcolm Walker was due to step down, during this time Richard Walker also stated he will be taking over as chair of the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation.[18]

Politics

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In 2023, he revealed he was a Conservative Party candidate to stand for election to the House of Commons.[19] He later quit the party and labelled it 'out of touch' and withdrew from the list of potential MPs.[20][21][22] In January 2024, Walker announced that he would be supporting Labour leader Keir Starmer to be the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.[23]

Charity fundraising

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In May 2023, Richard Walker successfully summited Everest[24] with the aim of raising £1 million for The National Brain Appeal. His efforts were directed towards establishing the world’s first Rare Dementia Support Centre. Walker was accompanied by renowned mountaineer Kenton Cool, who has now achieved a record 17 ascents of Everest.[25]

Walker embarked on this expedition in honor of his mother, Lady Walker, who was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's over ten years ago.

The funds raised from this endeavor were allocated to the development of a pioneering center dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by inherited, atypical, and young-onset dementias.[26]

This climb also commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Iceland Food Charitable Foundation. The Foundation is integral to Iceland Foods' commitment to philanthropy, encapsulated in their ‘Doing it Right’ philosophy. As of 2025 the Foundation focuses on dementia, the environment, wellbeing, and children.[27] To date, it has raised over £37 million to advance dementia diagnosis, improve treatments, and ultimately find a cure.[28]

In 2024 Richard Walker ran the London Marathon to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK. He collapsed near Mile 25 with heatstroke and almost died, but was saved by volunteer paramedics from St John Ambulance whom he credited with saving his life.[29]

Walker has helped raise over £10 million for dementia research, including a £10 million gift from the IFCF to support the creation of a world-first Rare Dementia Support Centre at UCL.[30] He continues to support Alzheimer’s Research UK and CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) through public awareness and funding.[31]

Expeditions

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A passionate mountaineer, Walker has undertaken climbs around the world. In 2011, he joined his father Sir Malcolm Walker in a charity expedition to the North Col of Everest,[32] raising over £1 million for Alzheimer's Research UK. In 2023, he summited Mount Everest.[33] In 2018, he completed first ascents in the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, including one peak named “Rhianydd” in honour of his late mother. The expedition was documented in the American Alpine Journal. [25]

Charities and Committees

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Walker chairs the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation (IFCF),[34] which has donated over £38 million to health, education, environmental and dementia-related causes. He is also:

In 2022, he was named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.[40]

Campaigning

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Walker has led several high-profile environmental and social campaigns during his leadership at Iceland Foods

  • Plastic-free packaging: In 2018, Iceland became the first UK supermarket to commit to eliminating plastic from its own-label packaging. [41]
  • Palm oil removal: The business removed palm oil from all own-brand products to highlight the impact of deforestation.[42]
  • Second Chance programme: Iceland provides employment to ex-offenders through a structured rehabilitation scheme, including a dedicated training academy at HMP Oakwood.[43]
  • Infant formula access: He has campaigned for regulatory reform to make infant formula more affordable for struggling families.[44]
  • Cost of living advocacy: Through partnerships with ethical lender Fair for You, the Iceland Food Club has helped tens of thousands of families access interest-free credit for essentials.[45]

Controversy

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Walker has been the subject of criticism for espousing environmental values while engaging in practices such as using a company helicopter for travel purposes.[5]

Recognition

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In 2021, Walker was made an honorary fellow of University College London.[46]

Walker was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to business and the environment.[47]

Selected publications

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  • The Green Grocer: One Man's Manifesto for Corporate Activism. DK. 1 April 2021. ISBN 978-0241492239.

References

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  1. ^ a b Hipwell, Diedre (21 December 2018). "Mums may go to Iceland, but this retail chain is a father and son success story". The Times. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  2. ^ Jones, Stephen. "Iceland's Richard Walker: The man who came into the cold". Management Today. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Is Richard Walker the greenest greengrocer ever?". Global Good Awards. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  4. ^ Barry, Sion (6 April 2021). "Iceland boss Richard Walker calls for digital sales tax to save the high street". Business Live. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Butler, Sarah (5 March 2022). "'I am a hypocrite': Iceland boss Richard Walker on the retailer's struggle to go green". The Observer. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  6. ^ Houlton, Cara (19 October 2022). "Iceland MD Richard Walker Launches Bid To Stand For Parliament". Grocery Gazette. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  7. ^ Walker, Richard (1 October 2023). "As a business leader, I can no longer support the Tory party". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Our Owners – About Iceland". about.iceland.co.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  9. ^ "News and event | Her Majesty The Queen's Birthday Honours List". Durham University. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Richard Walker is appointed our new Chair of Trustees". Surfers Against Sewage. 17 January 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  11. ^ "10 of the best popular science books as chosen by authors and writers". New Scientist. 24 April 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  12. ^ University, Durham. "Richard Walker visits Durham - Durham University". www.durham.ac.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  13. ^ a b c Ward, Anna (22 November 2019). "Meet the Iceland boss building green offices". www.eg.co.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  14. ^ "OUR TEAM". Bywater Properties. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Richard Walker joins the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders". Iceland. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  16. ^ Farrell, Steve (30 March 2021). "The Green Grocer: what we thought of Richard Walker's new book". The Grocer. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  17. ^ "FT business books: April edition". Financial Times. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  18. ^ Houlton, Cara (13 January 2023). "Iceland MD Richard Walker Appointed Executive Chairman". Grocery Gazette. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  19. ^ Tugby, Luke (19 October 2022). "Exclusive: Iceland boss Richard Walker launches bid to become MP". Retail Week. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  20. ^ "Iceland managing director Richard Walker launches campaign to become Tory MP". Evening Standard. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  21. ^ Riley, Henry [@henryriley1] (28 February 2023). "NEW | Executive Chairman of Iceland Richard Walker confirms he is seeking to stand as a Conservative MP | 'Westminster needs more people who know what it's like to have to pay the wages on a Friday' | @LBC @NickFerrariLBC @icelandrichard" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 August 2023 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ "Iceland boss quits Tories labelling party 'out of touch'". BBC News. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  23. ^ "Iceland supermarket boss and ex-Tory donor backs Starmer for PM". The Guardian. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  24. ^ Lavocah, Cara (17 January 2024). "Iceland executive chairman and colleagues raise more than £1.1m for the world's first Rare Dementia Support Centre". National Brain Appeal. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  25. ^ a b "Cool Walker". coolwalkereverest.com. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  26. ^ "Iceland executive chairman and 30,000 colleagues raise more than £1.1 million for the world's first Rare Dementia Support Centre". 24 January 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  27. ^ "Working together". ifcf.org.uk. Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  28. ^ "Cool Walker Everest Challenge for the world's first Rare Dementia Support Centre". JustGiving. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  29. ^ "London Marathon: Iceland boss thanks 'lifesaving' volunteers". BBC News. 23 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Dementia | Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation". ifcf.org.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  31. ^ Jones2024-01-24T17:04:00+00:00, Stephen. "Iceland staff raise £1.1m for dementia care after Walker's Everest climb". The Grocer. Retrieved 16 June 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. ^ "Iceland boss Malcolm Walker's charity Everest challenge". BBC News. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  33. ^ Leyland, Adam; Jones2023-07-21T13:11:00+01:00, Stephen. "Iceland's Richard Walker on his Mount Everest epiphany". The Grocer. Retrieved 16 June 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ "Our Story | Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation". ifcf.org.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  35. ^ "Cheshire Wildlife Trust is delighted to announce new patron | Cheshire Wildlife Trust". www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  36. ^ "Ambassadors | The Wildlife Trusts". www.wildlifetrusts.org. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  37. ^ "Richard Walker appointed Ambassador for Alzheimer's Research UK". Alzheimer's Research UK. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  38. ^ Marsh, Zoe (29 June 2020). "Businesses pledge to act on climate change and biodiversity". Iceland – Doing it Right. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  39. ^ "PM assembles new cohort of business leaders to turbocharge UK economy". GOV.UK. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  40. ^ Andrea (13 March 2019). "Richard Walker joins the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders". Iceland – Doing it Right. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  41. ^ Slawson, Nicola (15 January 2018). "Iceland supermarket vows to eliminate plastic on all own-branded products". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  42. ^ Smithers, Rebecca (10 April 2018). "Iceland to be first UK supermarket to cut palm oil from own-brand products". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  43. ^ "Iceland's 'Second Chance' scheme helps prison leavers find employment". Doing it Right. Iceland. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  44. ^ Parmenter, Tom (22 January 2024). "Iceland boss urges cross-party support to make baby formula more affordable". Sky News. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  45. ^ "Shop at Iceland with our Food Club". Fair for You. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  46. ^ "UCL awards 2021 Honorary Degrees and Fellowships". University College London. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  47. ^ "No. 63714". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 June 2022. p. B16.
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