Sir Michael Edwardes
Encyclopedia
Sir Michael Edwardes is a South Africa
n business executive.
in 1947 before graduating from Rhodes University
. He began his career in 1951 with the Chloride Group
. He went on in 1966 to serve as the general manager of Alkaline Batteries, one of the company's subsidiaries.
In 1977 he was appointed as chief executive of the United Kingdom
's ailing motor giant, British Leyland, and within two weeks he became chairman as the company's board was 'pruned' from 13 to 7 members. In 1979 he was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours
.
The next year, in 1980 he attracted criticism for a speech to the CBI Conference in which he said, "If the Cabinet do not have the wit and imagination to reconcile our industrial needs with the fact of North Sea oil
, they would do better to leave the bloody stuff in the ground." His tenure with British Leyland lasted until 1982, when he was replaced by Harold Musgrove
.
In 1984, he became Chairman of ICL, but resigned six months later when the company was acquired by STC
.
Edwardes wrote Back from the Brink, a book which discusses his experiences at British Leyland.
He donated over R
500,000 to St. Andrew's College
in 2005.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n business executive.
Biography
Edwardes matriculated from St. Andrew's CollegeSt. Andrew's College (Grahamstown, South Africa)
St Andrew's College is a private senior school for boys located in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa, one of the 23 elite, influential and prestigious Milner Schools. It offers boarding and day options for its pupils. The premium Anglican boarding school caters for 450 pupils from across the...
in 1947 before graduating from Rhodes University
Rhodes University
Rhodes University is a public research university located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, established in 1904. It is the province’s oldest university, and is one of the four universities in the province...
. He began his career in 1951 with the Chloride Group
Chloride Group
Chloride Group, a business of Emerson Network Power, is the UK's largest supplier of secure power systems to hospitals and other public buildings and facilities...
. He went on in 1966 to serve as the general manager of Alkaline Batteries, one of the company's subsidiaries.
In 1977 he was appointed as chief executive of the United Kingdom
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...
's ailing motor giant, British Leyland, and within two weeks he became chairman as the company's board was 'pruned' from 13 to 7 members. In 1979 he was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours
Queen's Birthday Honours
The Queen's Birthday Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the celebration of the Queen's Official Birthday in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen...
.
The next year, in 1980 he attracted criticism for a speech to the CBI Conference in which he said, "If the Cabinet do not have the wit and imagination to reconcile our industrial needs with the fact of North Sea oil
North Sea oil
North Sea oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons, comprising liquid oil and natural gas, produced from oil reservoirs beneath the North Sea.In the oil industry, the term "North Sea" often includes areas such as the Norwegian Sea and the area known as "West of Shetland", "the Atlantic Frontier" or "the...
, they would do better to leave the bloody stuff in the ground." His tenure with British Leyland lasted until 1982, when he was replaced by Harold Musgrove
Harold Musgrove
Harold Musgrove served as Chair of the Austin Rover Group from 1982 until 1986. He was replaced by Graham Day at the helm. During his time at Austin Morris he oversaw the sacking of Derek Robinson and the strike that followed. He also oversaw the introduction of the Maestro and Triumph Bounty;...
.
In 1984, he became Chairman of ICL, but resigned six months later when the company was acquired by STC
Standard Telephones and Cables
Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd was a British telephone, telegraph, radio, telecommunications and related equipment R&D manufacturer. During its history STC invented and developed several groundbreaking new technologies including PCM and optical fibres.The company began life in London as...
.
Edwardes wrote Back from the Brink, a book which discusses his experiences at British Leyland.
He donated over R
South African rand
The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"...
500,000 to St. Andrew's College
St. Andrew's College (Grahamstown, South Africa)
St Andrew's College is a private senior school for boys located in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa, one of the 23 elite, influential and prestigious Milner Schools. It offers boarding and day options for its pupils. The premium Anglican boarding school caters for 450 pupils from across the...
in 2005.