William Stern (businessman)

William Stern
Born
Vilmos György Stern

(1935-07-02)2 July 1935
Budapest, Hungary
Died21 March 2020(2020-03-21) (aged 84)
NationalityHungarian, British
OccupationBusinessman
Known forOwner of Stern Group, Britain's then biggest bankruptcy with debts of £118 million in 1973
SpouseShoshana Stempel (Freshwater)

William George Stern (born Vilmos György Stern, 2 July 1935 – 21 March 2020) was a British businessman most notable as the owner of the Stern Group of companies. When it collapsed in 1973, Stern became Britain's biggest bankrupt with debts of £118 million. The uninsured losses sustained by thousands of investors led directly to the creation of Britain's first Policyholders' Protection Act. He died during the COVID-19 pandemic due to complications brought on by COVID-19.