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 investment department. Jones also managed the bank's investment company, Melville Street Investments (Edinburgh), which specialised in providing finance for unlisted companies. In 1981 Jones organised Scotland's first privatisation, Gleneagles Hotel, which was part of British Transport Hotels. In 1983, he formed his own company. Ian Jones and Michael Munro established Quayle Munro in 1983 to provide professional financial services to companies in Scotland and the North of England. Initially, Jones and Munro were executive directors and Sir Alan Smith was chairman. Over time the firm developed three main areas of operation: corporate finance work for smaller plcs and large privately