Born in 1945—on the very day his father, Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE, set up the construction equipment company that would become JCB—Anthony Bamford (Baron Bamford of Daylesford) was destined to lead. He grew up immersed in the world of heavy industrial manufacturing in Staffordshire, England. After attending the Roman Catholic boarding school Ampleforth College, his father insisted on a rigorous, hands-on apprenticeship.

Bamford spent three years working for the agricultural machinery company Massey Ferguson in France, gaining invaluable experience on the continent. In 1964, he officially started on the shop floor at JCB. He quickly moved into management, leading the company's crucial early export drive into Europe in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This foundation—combining an aristocratic background with hard-earned engineering knowledge and global sales experience—prepared him perfectly to take the helm of the rapidly expanding family firm.

Anthony Bamford succeeded his father as Chairman and Managing Director of JCB in 1975 at the age of 30. He immediately set about transforming JCB from a single-factory operation in Staffordshire into a global world leader in construction equipment. His defining strategic move was an aggressive campaign of vertical integration (opening an in-house axle factory in Wales in 1978) and, most crucially, global expansion.

His most inspired decision was establishing JCB's first overseas operation in India in 1979, a bold move when few companies would have contemplated investing there. This conviction paid immense dividends, as India is now JCB's single largest market, employing over 7,000 people and serving as a template for subsequent expansion into Brazil, the US, and China. Under his leadership, JCB grew to 22 plants globally, employs over 19,000 people, and produces over 300 different products. He was knighted in 1990 and made a Life Peer (Baron) in 2013 for his monumental services to British industry and the economy.

Lord Bamford and his wife, Lady Bamford, ensure JCB is an integral part of every community it operates in. Their philanthropy is hands-on and often linked directly to the company's capabilities: JCB has donated specialized machinery to support disaster relief efforts globally following the Asian tsunami, and earthquakes in Haiti, China, and Turkey.

The JCB Academy, established in the UK, is a unique school focused on engineering and business education for young people, directly addressing the skills gap in British manufacturing. His wife's work with the Lady Bamford Charitable Trust in India focuses on education and healthcare. This blend of direct humanitarian aid (machinery donation) and structural investment in education and community welfare is a massive contribution to global and local well-being.

Lord Bamford maintains the distinguished, powerful style of a traditional British industrialist, often blending the formality of the House of Lords with the practicality of the factory floor. His attire is bespoke, favoring tailored country tweeds and classic business suits, reflecting his status as a Baron and a land owner (through the Daylesford Estate).

His lifestyle is characterized by exceptional, discreet luxury and a passion for engineering heritage. He is a prolific connoisseur of vintage Ferrari cars, owning a collection valued at over £260 million. He is a passionate enthusiast of gardening, farming, and motorsports. He travels privately for business and pleasure, often between his residence in Gloucestershire and his various global plants. His ultimate luxury is his sole control over the iconic, privately owned JCB brand and his extensive patronage of British conservative politics.