Martin Ainscough CBE DL

Martin grew Ainscough Crane Hire into the UK’s largest and most successful crane business, prior to its sale in 2007. He is chairman of the Ainscough Group of Companies which invests in and owns a wide range of business interests including property investment, finance and private equity companies. He has set up a Charitable Trust and sits on the Prince’s Trust Fundraising Committee.

Throughout his business life, he has been particularly active in the charitable and local community fields, setting in chain a number of projects. Since retiring from the crane business, he has applied his time and resources with aplomb, significantly increasing the tempo, scale and depth of his charitable activities.

His interest in promoting youth goes beyond traditional avenues of support and was the principal driving force in proposing, designing, building and operating the Wigan Youth Zone, was a major co-funder at £3.8 million and currently chairs the board of directors. This brand-new facility has provided a significant lifeline to thousands of children and young people in the Wigan Borough area, generating a safe environment in which to socialise, undertake vocational development, participate in sport and to interact with qualified youth organisers.

He is also the chairman of the University Technical College Wigan, a new teaching and educational facility which will provide vocational training courses, with a particular focus on the renewable energy and food manufacturing industries. Working in close cooperation with the concept’s founder, Lord Baker, Martin has overseen the transformation of the former Rushton Warehouse in Wigan Town Centre into a state-of-the-art academic facility, focussing on the need to prepare young people for meaningful and sustainable employment.

Martin is 60 years old, married to Judith and has 5 children.

He lists his hobbies as work and charity.