Sir Derek Birkin 1929-2019

_.Sir Derek Birkin, who died 25 August, 2019, aged 89, was a former chairman of RTZ.

John Derek Birkin was born 30 September, 1929 in South Elmsall, Yorkshire, England, son of Noah and Rebecca (Stranks) Birkin.

He was educated at Cranfield College, 1960; student, Administrative Staff College, Henley, England, 1965; student, Harvard University, 1969.

He married 1 Apr, 1952, Sadie Smith, by whom he had two children, Alison Jane, & Michael John.

Career:- Managing director, Velmar Ltd., Batley, England, 1966-1967; managing director, Nairn Williamson Ltd., Kirkcaldy, Scotland, 1967-1970; chairman, managing director, Tunnel Holdings Ltd., London, 1971-1983; deputy chief executive, The RTZ Corporation, London, 1983-1985; Chief Executive Officer, deputy chairman, The RTZ Corporation, London, 1985-1991; chairman, The RTZ Corporation, London, since 1991. Board directors Merck & Company, Inc., Whitehouse Station, New York, Carlton Communications, London, The Merchants Trust PLC, London, Unilever PLC, London, Royal Opera House, London.

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