John Mills (businessman)

John Angus Donald Mills (born 8 May 1938) is a British entrepreneur, economist and businessman, best known for founding UK-based consumer products company JML, where he is currently Chairman and majority shareholder. The company is known for its direct-to-consumer marketing through major retail stores groups and its shopping channels.

Mills was born in Hampstead Garden Suburb, the son of British Army Colonel Kenneth Mills, who according to The Independent was a senior spy. At the end of the Second World War, Kenneth Mills was running MI5's operations from Gibraltar. Later, he was transferred to Jamaica and—according to a family legend—personally foiled an attempted revolution in Cuba. Mills's brother is lawyer David Mills, who is married to Dame Tessa Jowell, a former Labour minister.

Educated privately at Glenalmond College in Scotland, Mills then read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Merton College, Oxford. Searching for extra income as a student, he started selling household cleaning goods door-to-door, and in 1958 hired a plane to fly fellow students to Canada for summer jobs, making a profit by selling off the seats.

After two years of National Service he joined Unilever's graduate scheme, but quit after six months to start his own business. Charged by Trading Standards for selling brass trinkets as gold-plated jewellery, he pleaded guilty and was fined £750. Mills founded Fairlane UK Ltd., which initially sold imported products at trade fairs and exhibitions, and latterly manufactured them. As the pound rose during Margaret Thatcher's government, Fairlane UK went out of business in 1984.

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