Renowned businessman Harvey-Jones dies

Published: Thursday, 10 January 2008, 11:55PM

Former ICI chairman and renowned businessman Sir John Harvey-Jones has died after a long illness.

Sir John, who was 83 and lived in Hay-on-Wye, in Powys, Wales, died peacefully in his sleep, his agent said.

He was boss at ICI from 1982 to 1987 but became best known for his BBC show Troubleshooter, in which he advised struggling businesses.

He became well known for his outspoken leadership style and tireless championing of British industry.

In 2006 he hit out at Apprentice star Sir Alan Sugar, branding him a power-exploiting bully.

ICI chief executive John McAdam said: "Although I personally never worked with John Harvey-Jones, he was a legend within ICI, and held in very high esteem by everyone in the company. It's very sad news."

Director general of the CBI Richard Lambert said: "He brought a sense of adventure and dynamism to the bureaucracy of ICI and made some bold decisions.

"He subsequently became the acceptable face of capitalism through his television programme and brought the world of business to millions in an accessible way."

In 1984, ICI became the first British company to post more than £1 billion in full-year pre-tax profits under Sir John's chairmanship.

In 1988 he received the title of Industrialist of the Year for the third year running.

Knighted for services to industry, he also became honorary vice president of the Institute of Marketing, and chairman of The Economist from 1989 to 1994.

He turned to business TV, becoming a household name in the late 1990s with his Troubleshooter series.

He continued to serve in a number of posts after his retirement, including chairman of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, a member of The Advisory Council of the Prince's Youth Business Trust and as president of the MS Trust.

Chief executive of the MS Society Simon Gillespie said: "The MS Society is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Sir John Harvey-Jones.

"He has been an excellent leader and superb contributor to the work of the MS Trust and of our joint efforts to support and improve the lives of people with MS."

Sir John gave some memorable quotes in his lifetime, including: "Leadership is the priceless gift that you earn from the people who work for you. I have to earn the right to that gift and have to continuously re-earn that right."

"I've spent 30 years going around factories. When you know something's wrong, nine times out of ten it's the management - in truth, because people aren't being led right. And bad leaders invariably blame the people."

"Planning is an unnatural process; it is much more fun to do something. And the nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression."

"There are no bad troops, only bad leaders."