James Blyth, Baron Blyth of Rowington
Encyclopedia
James Blyth, Baron Blyth of Rowington (born 8 May 1940) is a British
businessman.
The son of Daniel Blyth and Jane Power Carlton was educated in Speir's school
and the University of Glasgow
, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
and a Master of Arts
in history in 1963.
Blyth worked for Mobil Oil from 1963 to 1969, for General Foods
from 1969 to 1971 and for Mars Foods
from 1971 to 1974. Between 1974 and 1977, he was general manager of Lucas Batteries
and between 1977 and 1981 general manager of Lucas Aerospace. He was also director of the Imperial Group from 1984 to 1986, managing director of Plessey Electronic Systems
in 1985 and 1986, and managing director of the Plessey Company in 1986 and 1987. Blyth was a director of Cadbury-Schweppes between 1986 and 1990, of British Aerospace
between 1990 and 1994, and of NatWest between 1998 and 2000.
In 1981, Blyth became head of defence sales for the Ministry of Defence
, a post he held until 1985, when he was knighted. From 1987 to 1996, he was a chairman of the London Business School
(LBS), and to 1998 director and chief executive of The Boots Company. On 24 July 1995, he was created a life peer
as Baron Blyth of Rowington, of Rowington
in the County of Warwickshire
.
Blyth received an Honorary Doctor of Law
from the Nottingham University in 1992. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society
, appointed in 1994, and a Fellow
of the London Business School
, appointed in 1998.
Lord Blyth of Rowington has been married to Pamela Anne Campbell-Dixon since 1967; they have one daughter and one deceased son.
He was chairman of Diageo
until June 2008 (succeeded by Franz Humer), parent company of the famous Popov
and Smirnoff
brands of vodka, and more notably Guinness
malt beverages
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
businessman.
The son of Daniel Blyth and Jane Power Carlton was educated in Speir's school
Speir's school
Spier's school, at Beith, in North Ayrshire, Scotland, NS 35355327, KA15 1LU, was opened in 1888 and closed in 1972. The school, now demolished, was built using Ballochmyle red sandstone and was reminiscent of the ancient Glasgow University. The school motto was 'Quod verum tutum'...
and the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
in history in 1963.
Blyth worked for Mobil Oil from 1963 to 1969, for General Foods
General Foods
General Foods Corporation was a company whose direct predecessor was established in the USA by Charles William Post as the Postum Cereal Company in 1895. The name General Foods was adopted in 1929, after several corporate acquisitions...
from 1969 to 1971 and for Mars Foods
Mars, Incorporated
Mars, Incorporated is a worldwide manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products with US$30 billion in annual sales in 2010, and is ranked as the 5th largest privately held company in the United States by Forbes. Headquartered in McLean, unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia,...
from 1971 to 1974. Between 1974 and 1977, he was general manager of Lucas Batteries
Lucas Industries plc
Lucas Industries plc was a famous British manufacturer of components for the motor industry and aerospace industry. It was based in Birmingham. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index...
and between 1977 and 1981 general manager of Lucas Aerospace. He was also director of the Imperial Group from 1984 to 1986, managing director of Plessey Electronic Systems
Plessey
The Plessey Company plc was a British-based international electronics, defence and telecommunications company. It originated in 1917, growing and diversifying into electronics. It expanded after the second world war by acquisition of companies and formed overseas companies...
in 1985 and 1986, and managing director of the Plessey Company in 1986 and 1987. Blyth was a director of Cadbury-Schweppes between 1986 and 1990, of British Aerospace
British Aerospace
British Aerospace plc was a UK aircraft, munitions and defence-systems manufacturer. Its head office was in the Warwick House in the Farnborough Aerospace Centre in Farnborough, Hampshire...
between 1990 and 1994, and of NatWest between 1998 and 2000.
In 1981, Blyth became head of defence sales for the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
, a post he held until 1985, when he was knighted. From 1987 to 1996, he was a chairman of the London Business School
London Business School
London Business School is an international business school and a constituent college of the federal University of London, located in central London, beside Regent's Park...
(LBS), and to 1998 director and chief executive of The Boots Company. On 24 July 1995, he was created a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
as Baron Blyth of Rowington, of Rowington
Rowington
Rowington is a village and civil parish in the English county of Warwickshire. It is five miles north-west of the town of Warwick and five miles south-west of the town of Kenilworth...
in the County of Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
.
Blyth received an Honorary Doctor of Law
Doctor of law
Doctor of Law or Doctor of Laws is a doctoral degree in law. The application of the term varies from country to country, and includes degrees such as the LL.D., Ph.D., J.D., J.S.D., and Dr. iur.-Argentina:...
from the Nottingham University in 1992. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society
Royal Aeronautical Society
The Royal Aeronautical Society, also known as the RAeS, is a multidisciplinary professional institution dedicated to the global aerospace community.-Function:...
, appointed in 1994, and a Fellow
Fellow
A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. The term fellow is also used to describe a person, particularly by those in the upper social classes. It is most often used in an academic context: a fellow is often part of an elite group of learned people who are awarded...
of the London Business School
London Business School
London Business School is an international business school and a constituent college of the federal University of London, located in central London, beside Regent's Park...
, appointed in 1998.
Lord Blyth of Rowington has been married to Pamela Anne Campbell-Dixon since 1967; they have one daughter and one deceased son.
He was chairman of Diageo
Diageo
Diageo plc is a global alcoholic beverages company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of spirits and a major producer of beer and wine....
until June 2008 (succeeded by Franz Humer), parent company of the famous Popov
Popov
Popov or Popoff or Popova is a common Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian last name. Derived from a Slavonic word pop . The fourth most common Russian surname...
and Smirnoff
Smirnoff
Smirnoff is a brand of vodka owned and produced by the British company Diageo. The Smirnoff brand began with a vodka distillery founded in Moscow by Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov , the son of illiterate Russian peasants. It is now distributed in 130 countries.Smirnoff products include vodka, flavored...
brands of vodka, and more notably Guinness
Guinness
Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate, Dublin. Guinness is directly descended from the porter style that originated in London in the early 18th century and is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide, brewed in almost...
malt beverages