David Gold was a British businessman who was born on September 9, 1936. Until 2009, he was the chairman of Birmingham City Football Club.
He was the joint chairman of West Ham United from 2010 until his death in 2023.
Gold was born in Stepney and raised in East London at 442 Green Street, near the Boleyn Ground in West Ham. He was a West Ham youth team player who was offered documents to sign as an apprentice professional for the first team, which his father declined to countersign.
His father, Godfrey, was an East End criminal known as ‘Goldy’ who served time in prison throughout Gold’s childhood. His father was Jewish, and his mother was Christian.
David Gold parents: Godfrey Gold, Rose Gold
Although his parents’ names are Godfrey and Rose Gold, little is known about them.
Gold Group International (GGI) is the parent company of Ann Summers and the lingerie store Knickerbox. GGI was co-owned by Gold and his brother Ralph until Gold purchased Ralph’s stake in 2008.
He co-owned Gold Star Publications (GSP) with his brother Ralph, which included printing and distribution firms as well as a roster of titles such as Rustler and Raider.
In November 2006, he and his brother sold their stakes. Following declining sales and profitability, the brothers also sold their stake in Sport Newspapers in 2007.
He controlled the corporate air service Gold Air International until 2006, when he sold it for £4.4 million.
