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Sir John Harvey-Jones, TV's original troubleshooter, dies at 83
Last updated at 23:07pm on 11.01.08
The former ICI chairman and TV business guru Sir John Harvey-Jones has died aged 83
The former ICI chairman, who became famous after starring in the BBC show Troubleshooter, died peacefully in his sleep after a long illness.
He worked for ICI from 1982 until 1987, but made his name advising struggling businesses on TV.
ICI chief executive John McAdam said: "He was a legend within ICI, and held in high esteem by everyone in the company. It's very sad news."
Sir John became chairman of ICI in 1982, and after 30 months had doubled the price of ICI shares and turned a loss into a £1 billion profit.
Known for his flowing hair and exotic ties, he believed people want to work for an identifiable person.
Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI, said: "He brought a sense of adventure and dynamism to 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."
Sir John was awarded the Industrialist of the Year title three times and was knighted for services to industry.
He was also honorary vice president of the Institute of Marketing, and chairman of The Economist from 1989 to 1994.
In 2006 he criticised The Apprentice star Sir Alan Sugar, branding him a power-exploiting bully.
In an attack on business reality TV shows he dismissed the trend towards aggressive management styles, insisting the ethos behind his shows was always one of constructive guidance.
He said: "It is not your job to exploit your position of power. It's easy (to do that). My experience of life is that you get the best out of people by encouraging their self-belief."
Sir John lived in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, in mid Wales.
Reader views (2)
I met Sir John when he was chairman of ICI. Totally refreshing approach, down-to-earth and human. A pity that there aren't more like him.
- John Ware, London, England
I read his book, and developed a great respect for him just from that. I was particuarly struck by the story of how ICI chose to give up producing Polythene, a material ICI had invented. They concluded that their production methods were so far behind the competition that it was not worth bothering to try to catch up. A very sobering decision!
- Alan Griffiths, Forest Gate, London. UK
