James Sherwood
James Sherwood | |
|---|---|
| Born | James Blair Sherwood August 8, 1933 |
| Died | May 18, 2020 (aged 86) London, England |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Yale University |
| Known for | Founder, Sea Containers |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 sons (adopted) |
James Blair Sherwood (August 8, 1933 – May 18, 2020) was an American-born, British-based businessman, and the founder of Sea Containers.
Early life
James Blair Sherwood was born in Newcastle, Pennsylvania,[1] the son of William Sherwood, a patent attorney, and Florence.[2] He grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, and earned a degree in economics from Yale University.[3] Sherwood learned about shipping first in the United States Navy, spending three years as a cargo officer, and then working for United States Lines and CTI for six years.
Business career
In 1965, Sherwood founded Bermuda-based, New York Stock Exchange listed, London-headquartered shipping company Sea Containers with initial capital of $100,000.[4] Over forty years Sherwood expanded Sea Containers from a supplier of leased cargo containers, into various shipping companies, as well as expanding the company into luxury hotels and railway trains, including the Venice-Simplon Orient Express[5] and Great North Eastern Railway that operated the InterCity East Coast franchise.[6]
Although valued with a net worth of £60million in the 2004 Sunday Times Rich List,[7] as Sea Containers hit financial troubles, he resigned as Co-Chief Executive Officer from each of his companies in 2006.[8] He continued as a Director of Orient Express Hotels Ltd until retiring on 9 June 2011. He was later designated as Founder and Chairman Emeritus.[9]
Personal life
In 1977, Sherwood married the writer and botanist Shirley Cross.[10][2] Her sons, Simon and Charles, from her previous marriage adopted his surname.[2]
He died on May 18, 2020, of complications after abdominal surgery, aged 86.[1][11]
References
- ^ a b Green, Penelope (July 3, 2020). "James Sherwood, Who Revived the Orient Express, Dies at 86". The New York Times. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c Adeney, Martin (11 June 2020). "James Sherwood obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
- ^ Latest Ferry News - November 2005 Archived October 10, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Sea Containers Ltd. - Company History Funding Universe
- ^ Grice, Elizabeth (27 April 2012). "James Sherwood interview: the man who relaunched the Orient-Express". The Daily Telegraph. London.
- ^ Sea Containers wins East Coast Main Line franchise Rail issue 276 10 April 1996 page 7
- ^ Sunday Times Rich List 2004 - James Sherwood Times Online
- ^ Sherwood to hand over helm at Sea Containers[dead link] Daily Telegraph 8 December 2002
- ^ Ltd, Orient Express Hotels. "Chairman James Hurlock and Founder James Sherwood to Retire From Orient-Express Board Of Directors". www.prnewswire.com.
- ^ "Dr Shirley Sherwood to Guest Curate Botanical ArtExhibition". Orient Express. 18 January 2005. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ Obituaries, Telegraph (2020-05-20). "James Sherwood, founder of Sea Containers who put his heart into reviving the Orient Express – obituary". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2020-05-20.