David Kirch
British businessman, collector and philanthropist (1936–2026)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sir David Roderick Kirch, KBE (29 July 1936 – 28 February 2026) was a British businessman, collector and philanthropist.[1]
Collecting
Over his lifetime Kirch built up and subsequently sold what was probably the world's largest collection of Zeppelin memorabilia,[2] and a collection of provincial bank notes said to be "the most extensive selection of iconic and historical notes of this series ever assembled" by Barnaby Faull, Head of Spink's Banknotes department.[3]
In later years, he sold off items from his various collections and donated the funds to his charitable trust.[4]
Philanthropy
In 2006, Kirch celebrated his 70th birthday by announcing his plans to give everyone in Jersey, aged 70 or over, £100 in vouchers to spend in the island's Co-op supermarkets.[5] He has continued to give away around £1m, along the same lines, each year since 2006.
In 2012, Kirch announced his plans to leave his fortune, of approximately £100m, to the David Kirch Charitable Trust.[6]
In 2013, he appeared at the top of The Sunday Times Giving List,[6] and was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the 2013 Birthday Honours for "services as a philanthropist to senior citizens of Jersey".[7][8]
