John Macbean Reid (3.11.1938 – 23.2.2017) MA (Hons.) Psychology 1961 Aberdeen University
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John MacBean Reid (3.11.1938 – 23.2.2017) MA (Hons.) Psychology 1961 Aberdeen University John Reid, who died on 23rd February 2017 aged 78 after succumbing to cancer, was born in Peterhead, Northeast Scotland. He was the son of John (known as Jack) Reid, Accountant, and Maria Reid (née Smith), Domestic Science Teacher. He was the eldest of four children: Fiona (deceased 2004), Kenneth and Dorothea. He was educated at St Peter’s Episcopal Primary School and Peterhead Academy, and achieved 1st class Honours Psychology at Aberdeen University in 1961. Professor Rex Knight asked him if he would continue at Aberdeen to do research, but the University at that time had good connections with Rowntree in York, and he decided to take up a Marketing Assistant job there. This was the beginning of an outstandingly successful career over almost 40 years. In the early 70s he moved to a senior position as Product Group Manager in Rowntree Mackintosh, taking over responsibility for new product development and marketing. His team developed the first plastic trays for boxed chocolates, and he was responsible for the advertising campaigns for After Eight Mints, Matchmakers, Yorkie, Lion Bar and Drifter. In 1977 he was appointed Marketing Director for Rowntree Mackintosh UK. He had a very rare ability of being able to move from the top role in Marketing to take leadership in several other major Board roles. He became Purchasing Director UK in 1981, working on significant rationalisation and cost saving, and in 1986 he became the Managing Director of Rowntree Distribution Ltd. Following the purchase of Rowntree Mackintosh by Nestlé he took over the role of Group Distribution Director, Nestlé UK, responsible for the integration and rationalisation of the two distribution systems. His final role in the company in 1995 was as HR Director Nestlé UK. After retirement in 1998 he became Chairman of Nestlé UK Pension Trust until 2010. He enjoyed sport all his life and played to a high standard. In his youth he was a Tennis Club Champion in Peterhead. He played a pivotal role in setting up the tennis club in Strensall (York) in 1989 and was its first Chairman. However, golf was to become his favourite sport and he organised several Nestlé golf tournaments in prestigious venues such as Stoke Poges, as well as organising an annual UK golf tour with friends for 34 years. He was a strong supporter of the community in York. He chaired the Governors of the Robert Williams Primary School; was a member of the Business Services Committee of York University; and was Chairman of the Enquiry Committee (which dealt with disciplinary matters) at the York factory. He loved holidays with friends and family, learning Spanish when he bought a villa in Spain. He was a brilliant host with a wicked sense of humour who loved organising crazy games and quizzes involving all ages. He enjoyed drawing, painting and making things all his life, developing a wonderful game of table cricket, which his siblings and family played at home. Unfortunately, despite a two-month trial with a major Board Game company, it was never marketed. He led by example, and was a straightforward, apolitical person whose integrity and honesty engendered trust and affection in everyone whose life he touched. He was a “people-person” from a very young age and that plus his training in psychology and marketing made him an excellent arbiter, problem- solver and vigorous debater. His greatest love was his family. His wife, Norma, who he met at Rowntree, died in 2015 after a long struggle with MS during which he cared for her devotedly. They had four children – Stuart, Andrew (who died at birth), Shona and Gregor; and five grandsons – Joe, Ben, Will, Daniel and Lewis. .