Sir Douglas Myers, former major shareholder and long-time chief executive of Lion Breweries and Lion Nathan has passed away at the age of 78. Myers finally lost a 9 year long battle with cancer.
He began his involvement with what would become Lion Nathan in 1965, being appointed CEO of Campbell & Ehrenfried, following in the footsteps of his father Sir Kenneth Myers and his grandfather Sir Arthur Myers. A series of mergers and cross shareholdings led to the creation of Lion Breweries and then Lion Nathan. Myers played a leading role in Lion for over 15 years as MD, CEO, and ultimately as chairman in 1997. One year later, in 1998, Myers sold his 45% shareholding to Kirin Brewery Company. While also continuing to spend time on the family farm in New Zealand he moved four years later to live in London, where he died in a hospital on Saturday.
Besides being a successful business man he also donated large sums of money into Auckland University'sKenneth Myers Arts Centre, Auckland University's business school and the creation of the Sir Douglas Myers Scholarship.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, and three children from an earlier marriage.
