Serial chairman Chris Greig dies at 77

ONE of Scotland’s most experienced company leaders, Lees Foods chairman Dr Chris Greig, has died aged 77.

He was a former managing director of Invergordon Distillers and had served as non-executive chairman of whisky firm William Grant, brewer Belhaven and PPL Therapeutics, the Lothian technology company that created Dolly the Sheep.

Greig was brought in as chairman of Lees, the Coatbridge confectionery maker, in October 2009. Yesterday, the company announced that he had passed away earlier in the week following a period of illness.

“The board extends its deepest sympathies to his family,” it said. “The board wishes to acknowledge and express its gratitude for Chris’s considerable contribution to the company since his appointment in 2009.”

During his time in the drinks industry, Grieg was seen as a deal maker. As chairman of William Grant, he played a key role in the joint takeover of Highland Distillers with the Edrington Group. He also took Invergordon from a management buy-out to a flotation, before it was taken over by Whyte & Mackay.

He had also held directorships at Murgitroyd and Cypex.