Sir Derrick Holden-Brown obituary
Navy veteran who steered Allied-Lyons through stormy corporate waters in the Eighties and increased the share price
Thursday March 29 2018, 12.01am, The Times
Sir Derrick Holden-Brown in 1988, by which point he had revived Allied’s fortunes
Sir Derrick Holden-Brown in 1988, by which point he had revived Allied’s fortunes
PETER TRIEVNOR FOR THE TIMES
Sir Derrick Holden-Brown served in a British torpedo boat during the Second World War. Listening to his naval metaphors at the helm of Allied-Lyons one might have thought that he was still in command of the wartime vessel.
He certainly had to steer the company through stormy corporate waters during the 1980s when the brewing and food conglomerate forestalled two aggressive takeover bids from Australian brewing companies. He also had to deal with regulatory changes that forced the company to shed its interests in British brewing.
Conservatively dressed and well connected in the City, Holden-Brown had the firm handshake, crisp pinstriped suits and clipped accent of an old-fashioned gentleman. However, he proved to be effective at not only steadying his ship, but modernising it too.