Fred Done is the co‑founder and chairman of Betfred, one of the UK’s largest bookmaking groups. Born and raised in the Ordsall district of Salford, he left school at 15 and worked in his father’s illegal bookkeeping business before opening the first legal Betfred shop with his brother Peter in 1967, funded by a win on England’s 1966 World Cup victory.
Over the decades the brothers grew Betfred into a network of more than 1,650 retail betting shops and a major online gambling operation. Done also co‑founded Peninsula Business Services, a HR‑and‑employment‑law company, in 1989, and continues as a co‑owner.
In 2023 he stepped down as Betfred’s chief executive but remains chairman of the group. He is a well‑known figure in British gambling, a Conservative Party donor, and an active philanthropist.
Career History
| Company | Role | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Betfred | Chief Executive Officer | 1967-01-01 – 2023-01-01 |
| Betfred | Founder & Chairman | – present |