Victor Matthews, Baron Matthews

Born in Islington and educated at Highbury School, Victor Matthews initially worked as an office boy for a tobacco business.

[1] In 1977 Trafalgar House acquired Beaverbrook Newspapers and in 1982, it was floated on the London Stock Exchange as Fleet Holdings with Matthews as its chairman.

[1] In August 1980 Trafalgar House bought Firestone tyre factory, a unique example of Art Deco architecture, which was about to become a listed building.

Matthews personally ordered destruction of the main features of the facade over the bank holiday weekend, two days before the building was to be listed.

[2][3] He was created a Life Peer on 22 July 1980 taking the title Baron Matthews, of Southgate in the London Borough of Enfield.