Basil Feldman, Baron Feldman

Feldman was born on 23 September 1923 to Tilly (née Katz; 1902–1977) and Philip Feldman,^[1] and was educated at the Grocers' School.^[1] Feldman began his first business in 1946, with Richard Beecham.^[2] Feldman was a former member of Lloyd's of London, and was the director of The Young Entrepreneurs Fund from 1985 to 1994. He has been described as a former plastic-toy magnate whose business interests reportedly included "Sindy dolls, aircraft kits and yo-yos".^[3]

Feldman married his wife Gita Julius in 1952.^[1] His younger sister was actress Fenella Fielding. He had two sons and a daughter. One of his sons is Nick Feldman, bass guitarist of the band Wang Chung. Feldman was a member of the Garrick and Carlton Clubs.

He was knighted in the 1982 Birthday Honours.^[4][5] On 15 January 1996, he was made a life peer as Baron Feldman, of Frognal in the London Borough of Camden.^[6] His sponsors were Margaret Thatcher and Cecil Parkinson, and he was introduced to the House of Lords on 14 February 1996.^[3]

The Baron Feldman died on 19 November 2019 at the age of 96.^[7]

Coat of arms of Basil Feldman, Baron Feldman

Crest A mount issuant therefrom between two sprigs of basil both flowered a dexter cubit arm the hand grasping a wreath of laurel all Proper. Escutcheon Per chevron Argent guttee de sang and Gules guttee d'eau in chief two apple trees eradicated and fructed Proper and in base a phoenix rising from flames also Proper. Supporters Dexter a lion reguardant Or holding in the dexter paw a copper handbell and in the mouth a sprig of pink camellia both Proper sinister a hind reguardant Or gorged with a portcullis attached to a chain Sable and holding in the mouth a sprig of basil flowered Proper. Motto Melius Qui Citius (The Sooner The Better)[8]