James Blyth, Baron Blyth of Rowington

James Blyth, Baron Blyth of Rowington ( born May 8, 1940) is a British businessman and politician of the Conservative Party.

Life and career

Blyth was born the son of Daniel Blyth and Jane Power Carlton. He attended Speir 's School and the University of Glasgow, where he graduated with a Master of Arts in History in 1963.

Blyth worked for Mobil Oil from 1963 to 1969, for General Foods from 1969 to 1971 and for Mars Foods from 1971 to 1974. Between 1974 and 1977 he was chief executive of Lucas Batteries and 1977-1981 General Manager of Lucas Aerospace. He was also director of Imperial Tobacco from 1984 to 1986, Chief Executive of Plessey Electronic Systems in 1985 and 1986, and chief executive of the Plessey Company in 1986 and 1987. Blyth was Director of Cadbury Schweppes between 1986 and 1990, and by British Aerospace from 1990 to 1994 National Westminster bench between 1998 and 2000.

1981 Blyth was sales manager for military equipment in the UK Ministry of Defence. He held until 1985, when he was knighted in this office.

From 1987 to 1996 he was chairman of the London Business School, and by 1998 director and chief executive of The Boots Company.

On July 24, 1995, he was appointed in the County of Warwickshire for Life peer as Baron Blyth of Rowington, Rowington of.

Blyth received in 1992 an honorary doctorate in law from the University of Nottingham. Blyth is a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and since 1998 a Fellow of the London Business School since 1994.

Until June 2008 he was Chairman of the spirits group Diageo.

Family

Blyth is married to Pamela Campbell - Dixon since 1967. They have one daughter, one son is deceased.