A wealthy landowner left the bulk of his £100 million estate to good causes after refusing luxuries for himself – and giving away a fortune during his lifetime.
Simon Gibson, who passed away in May at the age of 94, lived an average lifestyle. He drove a yellow VW Beetle, and bought second-class tickets for trains instead of first.
He preferred to cruise around the Scottish Lochs, rather than fly off to the Caribbean millionaire’s paradise.
His friends said that he would rather donate millions to charity, schools, churches and local sports teams, while earning a CBE in recognition of his charitable work.
William Tatem was his great-uncle, and he went out to sea at 12 as a cabin boy. He went on to found the Atlantic Shipping Company. This company became the biggest exporter of coal from Wales.
Landowner Simon Gibson (pictured), 94, of Exning near Newmarket, Suffolk, left the bulk of his £100million estate to charity after he died in May last year
Mr Gibson who never married and had no children, also left gifts to relatives and £30,000 each to all the workers on his estate (pictured) near Exning near Newmarket, Suffolk
His generosity was reflected in his will which left most of his net estate of £103,857,487 to his charity, the Simon Gibson Charitable Trust which he set up in 1975 to help national and local charities in South Wales, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.
Mr Gibson who never married and had no children, also left gifts to relatives and £30,000 each to all the workers on his estate near Exning near Newmarket, Suffolk
This sum was also left to his former employees, who retired from Exning Estate Company at the end of his life and his staff at Landwade Hall.
But his latest devoted carer, South African born Shelagh Foster, was left £75,000 along with his cottage and its contents in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, and her choice of one of the cars he owned at the time of his death.
One of his employees was also left an extra £10,000 to look after his dog Pops, although the clause was cancelled in 2013 after his beloved pet was ‘put to sleep’.
Colin McCarty was the former Newmarket Upper School acting head and knew Mr Gibson almost 40 years ago. He described Gibson as quiet and private.
Mr Gibson inherited the estate (pictured) through his great uncle, William Tatem who founded the Atlantic Shipping Company which became the largest exporter of coal mined in Wales
He stated, “He had a brand-new Rolls Royce. I didn’t see him driving it.” The fame of him driving his yellow Beetle around was due to the clapped-out exterior.
“He lived in an extremely well-appointed house with housekeepers.
“His housekeeper sent him to South Africa for a few holidays in his later years. He also took small cruises through the Scottish lochs.
“I will not say that he was cruel, but he was very careful. He was both a farmer, and a successful businessman. His efforts were directed to helping good causes with a significant amount of money. Spending money to help worthy causes was something he enjoyed.
“If I were to see him riding the train, he would travel second class, even though it was easy for him to afford first.
“He came to me when I was a headteacher and wanted to discuss the reorganization of social rooms for students. The next day he walked in with a cheque for £25,000 to pay for the work.
“People approached him and sought his help. Very rarely were they refused.
“Throughout Exning, his generosity as well as the trusts established by the family have allowed many improvements to be made and built.
Mr Gibson, pictured, left £250,000 each to his ten nephews and nieces along with his shares in an investment company, and £10,000 each to his ten godchildren
Mr Gibson also left £30,000 to staff at his home of Landwade Hall (pictured)
Exning retired priest assistant McCarty stated that Mr Gibson visited him regularly until his passing to receive communion in his home.
His friend owned racehorses, and he used to ride around the estate for years until he was forced to stop riding. Exning, he also liked riding his horse and trap.
Mr Gibson’s will left £1 million to Ely Cathedral Trust in Cambridgeshire along with legacies of £100,000 each to the World Wildlife Fund (UK), the National Trust, Pembroke College, Cambridge, the King’s School, Ely, Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Children’s Charity and St Edmundsbury Cathedral, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
He also left £250,000 each to his ten nephews and nieces along with his shares in an investment company, and £10,000 each to his ten godchildren.
His sister Mary and another close relative received £250,000 each while his sister-in-law was left £50,000.
There were also further cash legacies worth nearly £2 million and gifts of farmland to 20 friends, aides and relatives, with everything else going to his own charity.
Barry Taylor, the solicitor for Mr Gibson, stated that Gibson was an overall generous person during his lifetime. This generosity is evident in Gibson’s will.
“Simon”‘s residual estate will be passed to the Simon Gibson Charitable Trust. This is the charity through which his vast philanthropic efforts were carried out.
M. Taylor paid tribute to the deceased by saying, ‘I would refer him as a Philanthropist in Sir David Robinson’s mold.
Mr Gibson’s 1,776 acre estate which includes an equine hospital, solar farm, three stud farms, 56 residential properties and a private chapel is currently on the market for £50 million
“He was a quiet man, who was humble and possessed great character. The true gentleman of the Old School.
Mr Gibson’s 1,776 acre estate which includes an equine hospital, solar farm, three stud farms, 56 residential properties and a private chapel is currently on the market for £50 million.
William Tatem, his great-uncle, was a major factor in his fortune. He went out to sea at 12 as a cabin boy and later founded the Atlantic Shipping Company. This company became the biggest exporter of coal from Wales.
William, his sole son who had been born in 1906, was elected Lord Glanely in 1916. A few years later, he acquired the Exning Estate from George Gibson.
Gibson received the estate as a gift from George Gibson, his father who was known for his generosity and set up a foundation to support local retirement communities.
Harrow was his private school, and he joked with Adolf Hitler that Hitler is to be credited for him getting there.