B&Q was founded in March 1969 in Southampton, England, by Richard Block and David Quayle, following the purchase and fitting out of a former furniture warehouse in the Southampton suburb of Portswood. Originally called Block & Quayle, the duo soon shortened the brand to B&Q as stock delivery notes and invoices were already unofficially abbreviating the name. By each working over sixty hour, six day weeks, they were able to repay their bank overdraft within six months of opening, with turnover reaching £1million within the first five years of operating. Following the departure of co founder Block in 1976, the chain
Ian Quayle Jones Ian Quayle Jones Ian Quayle Jones (born 1941) is the co-founder and former chairman and chief executive of Quayle Munro merchant bank. Ian Quayle Jones was educated at Strathallan School in Perthshire, Scotland and the University of Edinburgh, graduating with a degree in law. Jones qualified as a solicitor and joined Cowans Stewart where he became a partner. In 1972 he moved to Ivory & Syme as a fund manager. Within a year he moved to the British Linen Bank, the merchant banking arm of the Bank of Scotland. Following several promotions, he was appointed director with responsibility for the