Bill Capper, SPAR wholesale pioneer, passes

As Chairman of Capper & Co. Ltd, the SPAR wholesaler, and later a director of A.F. Blakemore, Bill Capper was a major force in the the development of the convenience channel in Wales and England.

Based in Glamorgan, Capper & Co. Ltd was established in 1901 as a grocery wholesaler and became the SPAR wholesaler for South Wales in 1959, with Bill's father, John, as one of the founding Directors of SPAR in the UK.

Bill began his career with SPAR in 1964, joining the family business after university. At the age of 25, he took over as Managing Director in 1968 following the untimely death of his father. Under his leadership, the company grew to service 500 SPAR stores, covering areas from South Wales to Gloucester, Oxfordshire, Sussex, Kent, and south of the River Thames.

Bill served two terms as Chairman of the National Guild of SPAR and in 2006, he became the Executive Chairman of Capper & Co. After the acquisition of Capper & Co. by A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd in 2011, Bill joined the A.F. Blakemore Board of Directors, retiring in 2016 after 51 years with SPAR.

In recognition of his contributions to business and the community in Wales, Bill was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2006.

Bill was universally admired by SPAR members, both in the UK and internationally, as well as by those in the wider retail industry. A pioneer in the convenience sector, he was a respected businessman and a prominent figure in the Welsh business community. As a committed Christian, he conducted himself with integrity and earned the trust of those around him.

Within SPAR, Bill was known for his wisdom and his advocacy for the benefits of collaboration. He played a vital role in the success and survival of independent retailing through his leadership as Chairman of Capper & Co. and during his time as Chairman of the National Guild of SPAR. He represented and led his family business with distinction and was a passionate supporter of SPAR and its values.

Bill is survived by his wife Heather, four daughters, and their families. The SPAR family extends their sincere condolences to them all.