User:Mattb84/Craig Davies (entrepreneur, racing driver)
Craig Davies (15th November 1960) Entrepreneur, racing driver. Pioneered the import and distribution of high end American Appliances into the UK.
Early Life
[edit]Craig Davies (15th November 1960) is a British Businessman born in Romford, Essex, to parents Lillian and Mark. Davies attended the same school as footballer David Beckham, East London’s Nevin Comprehensive School and left at the age of 15 with no qualifications before going on to set up the Europe's largest importer and distributor of Sub-Zero/Wolf, the manufacturer of refrigeration and cooking appliances.
Dad, Mark was a TV engineer who worked from home and mother Lillian ran the office side including TV rentals from the dinning room table so hard graft at all hours was what he grew up with.
Business
[edit]After many jobs including Panel Beating and Carpet Fitting he become employed as a washing machine engineer. A trip to America in his early twenties he saw American Appliance. He went self employed soon after his return to England and together with girlfriend Sandy bought his first shop in Woodford green Essex called “Davies Electrics” and lived in the flat above. Aged 27 he stated selling American Appliances then formed “The American Appliance Centre” based from a newly built warehouse facility in Chingford.
Sub-Zero Freezer Company brand caught Craig’s eye so he set about to become the importer into the UK. After many visits to America Craig’s vision become reality in 1996 when he was awarded the sole import rights not only for the UK but most of Europe. Sub-Zero acquired the high-end Cooker manufacture Wolf in 2000 and he set about expanding both these brands into Europe opening up showrooms in UK, France, Spain, Brussels, Italy.
Craig has direct relationships with many of the UK’s best Celebrity Chefs [1] who insist on using his products as well of many of the UK’s elite film, sports, and famous business personality’s.
Motor Racing
[edit]After starting in Karting he switched to Saloon Cars 1987 racing in Group N and Modified Production Saloons, these were the feeder series to BTCC In 1995 he was Mod Prod UK champion after two years of class Champion and overall runner up.
He now drives BTCC RS 500 in Thunder Saloons and DMN ex Chris Hodgetts totally original.
Corvette Stingray 1965 (Goodwood Revival) Coupe in HSCC and The Master Series featuring in major races Silverstone Classic and 6 Hour Spa
Ford GT 350 Shelby front running at Seebring USA and Brands Hatch festival.
SEAT Supacopa in Brit Car 24 Hour and Championship together with Adam Jones BTCC driver [2]
He is well known in British Motor racing Circles
Helped established the Sub-Zero Wolf Motorsport team in 2011[3].
Personal Life
[edit]Married to Sandy Davies one son Miles, live in Upshire, Essex.