James Whittaker: ‘Why I never compare myself to my father’

James Whittaker: ‘Why I never compare myself to my father’

James Whittaker is the managing director of Peel Waters and is involved in some of the North’s most important developments.

However, he's arguably best known as the son of billionaire John Whittaker, who gave the North game-changing projects like MediaCity and Trafford Centre.

Recalling his childhood he said: “We very rarely saw Dad as children. He was working so late. He wouldn’t be in until 12pm and when he did come in, he would be on the phone.”

He told the Northern Leaders podcast about his father’s vision for the Trafford Centre when he was a young child.

“He pointed to some land from the Barton Bridge next to the Manchester Ship Canal and said ‘I’m going to build the biggest retail leisure destination  ...