John Wilkinson OBE has been chairman of Salford City Reds rugby league club since 1982. He was born in Walkden He also owns the Cebora steel company, who were the main shirt sponsors of the Salford City Reds until 2006, when they were replaced by The Trafford Centre (although Cebora remain a minor shirt sponsor for the Reds.)

He was given an OBE in 2005 for Services to the City of Salford and is also a Trustee of The Salfordian hotel in Southport.