Pete Winkelman Chairman, Milton Keynes Dons Football Club
Pete moved to Milton Keynes in 1993 and established Great Linford Manor as one of Europe’s leading residential recording studios following a successful and varied career in the music industry in London.
Whilst in Milton Keynes and inspired by the footballing exploits of his son, Bobby, Pete worked tirelessly with the public and private sectors to deliver the new city’s 30-year ambition to host professional league football and develop a landmark multi-purpose sports and spectators events complex. The resulting international-standard Stadium MK, home of MK Dons FC, was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen on 29 November 2007.
Two years later, the doors were opened at the four-star Doubletree by Hilton hotel, which now boasts 304 bedrooms, making it one of the biggest in Europe. In 2015, the Rugby World Cup came to Milton Keynes with Stadium MK hosting three record-breaking attendances. The iconic facility has brought an inward investment of over £350 million to MK1, together with new employment opportunities in retail and leisure for nearly 5,000 people and the Club’s charity - the MK Dons Sports & Education Trust - now proudly engages with over 50,000 Milton Keynes citizens every year.
Pete has received much recognition for his endeavours over the years including winning MK Business Leaders’ Lifetime Achievement Award and being handed the Freedom of the Borough of Milton Keynes, but he continues to look forward and was pleased to be a Commissioner on the strategic Milton Keynes 2050 Futures Commission for Milton Keynes Council.