Society and Culture

Obituary: Sir Ronald Halstead (1927-2021)


We are sad to hear that former IEA trustee Sir Ronald Halstead CBE has died at the age of 94.

Sir Ronald was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to the food industry in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 1976 and then knighted in the Queens’ Birthday Honours in 1985.

In a distinguished career, Sir Ronald became Chairman and Chief Executive of the Beecham Group and Deputy Chairman of British Steel.  He also chaired the Industrial Development Advisory Board for the Department of Trade and Industry and was a member of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

He was President of the Engineering Industries Association for over 25 years and served as a member of the IEA Board of Trustees from 1980 to 1993.

Former IEA trustee Mike Fisher said: “The modern world lacks the likes of Sir Ronald.  He was a pleasure to meet and always showed warmth and interest to all.  Plenty of common sense, humour and loads of experience are the hallmarks by which I will remember him.”



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