Real Lives: Innovative giant who transformed British bus and coach industry

Published on Monday 3 November 2008 08:56

Bill Cameron OBE, the chairman of Alexander Dennis Ltd, the largest bus manufacturer in the UK, has died, aged 70.

Mr Cameron originally started working for Hoover, and became vice president after working his way through the ranks.

He took over Hoover's operations across Europe and turned the company into a hugely successful operation.

In the early 1990s he jumped ship and moved into the bus industry, joining Walter Alexander's in Falkirk.

As managing director for most of the 1990s, he helped cement the company's fortunes.

He took it from sales of 25 million to 100m, and saw the workforce increase from 600 to 1100.

In 1999 he was appointed chief executive of the Mayflower Bus and Coach company, where he worked until his retirement in 2002.

That year he was awarded the OBE for his services to industry in Scotland.

In 2004 he came out of retirement to rescue the ailing Mayflower Bus and Coach company, after it went into administration following the collapse of its parent company, Mayflower Corporation.

He was then appointed chairman of the Alexander Dennis company shortly after it was formed, when Transbus was bought out of administration by a consortium of business leaders including David Murray, Brian Souter and Ann Gloag.

The company now has a turnover of 300m and is Britain's biggest bus and coach manufacturer, selling products in Hong Kong, Canada and USA.

It produces a range of bus parts and vehicles, both single and double-deck, and has just launched the world's most advanced hybrid buses.

Mr Cameron died at his home in the Morningside area of Edinburgh on Tuesday, of a suspected heart attack.

Colleague and friend Bill Simpson said: "He could easily be described as a giant in the manufacturing industry, certainly in Scotland and probably across Europe.

"He was a very innovative man.

"He's always been a very sprightly, fit man, and he was a bit unwell on Monday and ironically missed a visit to his Falkirk factory by the First Minister, who was shown the first set of vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions by over 30 per cent, ahead of their launch next week.

"I think he will be remembered as a straight-talking Scot who rolled up his sleeves and got things done. He transformed the British bus manufacturing industry without question."

He is survived by his wife Carol, children Euan and Hazel, and grandchildren Fiona and Gregor.

A service of thanksgiving will be held on Wednesday, November 5, in Morningside Parish Church.