Michael Herries
Encyclopedia
Sir Michael Alexander Robert Young-Herries MC
(28 February 1923 – 6 May 1995) was the Chairman and Managing Director of Jardine Matheson & Co
. from 1963 to 1970 and was the Chairman of The Royal Bank of Scotland
from 1978 to 1991.
Born in Scotland
in the Dumfries and Galloway region, a region which produced many of the leaders of Jardine, Matheson including its founder, he was educated at Eton
where he excelled in Classics and sports then later at Trinity College
in Cambridge. While at Cambridge in 1942, his studies were interrupted by his service with the King's Own Scottish Borderers
, serving in Europe, later on his regiment was transferred to the Middle East, in Egypt then in Palestine. Attaining the rank of Captain and awarded the Military Cross
for gallantry in action, he returned to Cambridge in 1947 to continue his studies in Classics.
In 1949, Herries joined Jardine, Matheson & Co. as a junior accountant and was immediately asked to report to Hong Kong
in the Far East. Before moving, he had married Elizabeth Smith and transferred to Hong Kong with her. In just a short time as junior accountant, he was promoted to general manager. A brilliant manager, Herries moved up the corporate ladder fast and in less than ten years reached the rank of associate director. In 1959, he became Director overseeing a large division within the group. In 1962, he became the Deputy Managing Director reporting to then Chairman and Managing Director Sir Hugh Barton
. Upon Sir Hugh's retirement in June 1963, Herries became Chairman and Managing Director of Jardines, acquiring the title of 'Tai-pan'.
As 'Tai-pan' of Jardines, he oversaw the group's rapid rise to become an international conglomerate. Herries did much in transforming Jardines from an old-fashioned trading company into a modern enterprise run by a modern team of managers. He is best remembered for confidently steering the group during the tumultuous 1966–67 revolution that convulsed Hong Kong and was prodded by the Chinese Communist Government. For his actions, he was awarded a Knighthood in 1968.
Herries retired from Jardines in 1970. He had an outstanding business reputation in Hong Kong and the Far East from his years of successfully managing a large diversified conglomerate and an even outstanding public service. He was an active member of the non-executive Legislative Council of Hong Kong
and a member of several trade groups, universities and associations.
After a brief association with Jardines after his retirement, he joined The Royal Bank of Scotland as Vice-Chairman in 1974, Deputy Chairman in 1975 and Chairman in 1976 and retired in 1992.
Sir Michael Herries was known to be a brilliant manager and demanded nothing but the best from his staff. He was widely regarded as one of the most modest and likeable of men. He and his wife, Elizabeth had two sons and a daughter. Sir Michael died on 6 May 1995.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(28 February 1923 – 6 May 1995) was the Chairman and Managing Director of Jardine Matheson & Co
Jardine Matheson Holdings
Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited often referred to as Jardines, is a multinational corporation incorporated in Bermuda and based in Hong Kong. While listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Singapore Exchange, the vast majority of Jardines shares are traded in Singapore...
. from 1963 to 1970 and was the Chairman of The Royal Bank of Scotland
Royal Bank of Scotland
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is a British banking and insurance holding company in which the UK Government holds an 84% stake. This stake is held and managed through UK Financial Investments Limited, whose voting rights are limited to 75% in order for the bank to retain its listing on the...
from 1978 to 1991.
Born in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in the Dumfries and Galloway region, a region which produced many of the leaders of Jardine, Matheson including its founder, he was educated at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
where he excelled in Classics and sports then later at Trinity College
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
in Cambridge. While at Cambridge in 1942, his studies were interrupted by his service with the King's Own Scottish Borderers
King's Own Scottish Borderers
The King's Own Scottish Borderers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Scottish Division.-History:It was raised on 18 March 1689 by the Earl of Leven to defend Edinburgh against the Jacobite forces of James II. It is said that 800 men were recruited within the space of two hours...
, serving in Europe, later on his regiment was transferred to the Middle East, in Egypt then in Palestine. Attaining the rank of Captain and awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
for gallantry in action, he returned to Cambridge in 1947 to continue his studies in Classics.
In 1949, Herries joined Jardine, Matheson & Co. as a junior accountant and was immediately asked to report to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
in the Far East. Before moving, he had married Elizabeth Smith and transferred to Hong Kong with her. In just a short time as junior accountant, he was promoted to general manager. A brilliant manager, Herries moved up the corporate ladder fast and in less than ten years reached the rank of associate director. In 1959, he became Director overseeing a large division within the group. In 1962, he became the Deputy Managing Director reporting to then Chairman and Managing Director Sir Hugh Barton
Hugh Barton
Sir Hugh David MacEwen Barton was a former Chairman and Managing Director of Jardine, Matheson & Co. from 1953 to 1963....
. Upon Sir Hugh's retirement in June 1963, Herries became Chairman and Managing Director of Jardines, acquiring the title of 'Tai-pan'.
As 'Tai-pan' of Jardines, he oversaw the group's rapid rise to become an international conglomerate. Herries did much in transforming Jardines from an old-fashioned trading company into a modern enterprise run by a modern team of managers. He is best remembered for confidently steering the group during the tumultuous 1966–67 revolution that convulsed Hong Kong and was prodded by the Chinese Communist Government. For his actions, he was awarded a Knighthood in 1968.
Herries retired from Jardines in 1970. He had an outstanding business reputation in Hong Kong and the Far East from his years of successfully managing a large diversified conglomerate and an even outstanding public service. He was an active member of the non-executive Legislative Council of Hong Kong
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
and a member of several trade groups, universities and associations.
After a brief association with Jardines after his retirement, he joined The Royal Bank of Scotland as Vice-Chairman in 1974, Deputy Chairman in 1975 and Chairman in 1976 and retired in 1992.
Sir Michael Herries was known to be a brilliant manager and demanded nothing but the best from his staff. He was widely regarded as one of the most modest and likeable of men. He and his wife, Elizabeth had two sons and a daughter. Sir Michael died on 6 May 1995.