Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sir Alick Rankin loses battle against leukemia

Andrew Garfield
Wednesday 04 August 1999 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

SIR ALICK Rankin, the former chairman of Scottish & Newcastle Breweries and one of the pillars of the Scottish business community, has died aged 65 after losing a seven-month battle against leukemia.

Sir Alick, who masterminded the transformation that turned S&N from a regional player into Britain's biggest brewer, will be best remembered for the way he saw off a hostile takeover bid for the group from John Elliott, the Australian Fosters lager tycoon, in 1989, after one of the most bitterly fought takeover battles of the decade.

More recently, as chairman of General Accident, he played a pivotal role in the consolidation of the UK insurance industry when he steered the insurance giant into a merger with its rival Commercial Union last year.

As chairman of Christian Salvesen, the family-controlled haulage firm, he also piloted the company through a controversial demerger following an unsuccessful bid approach from Hays, the rival logistics group.

Brian Stewart, who succeeded Sir Alick as chief executive at S&N, said yesterday he was shocked and saddened to hear of Sir Alick's death on Tuesday night. "Sir Alick had been ill for several months with cancer and tackled his illness with typical courage and refusal to compromise."

Mr Stewart added: "Sir Alick was enormously committed to the company and his deep personal involvement and enthusiasm were an inspiration to all his colleagues."

Born in the Hebrides but educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, Sir Alick remained through and through a patriotic Scot. But unlike many of his contemporaries, he was constant in his belief that the success of the Scottish economy lay in embracing rather than resisting change.

A keen tennis player, cricketer and golfer, he was a member of both Muirfield, and St Andrew's golf clubs. He also listed ornithology as one of his hobbies.

He is survived by his second wife Suzetta and a son and three daughters.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in