Andrew Duncan (businessman)
Andrew Rae Duncan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | March 30, 1952 (aged 67) |
| Occupation(s) | Industrialist, politician |
| Known for | President of the Board of Trade, Minister of Supply |
Sir Andrew Rae Duncan (3 June 1884 – 30 March 1952) was a prominent British industrialist and politician who twice held the positions of President of the Board of Trade and Minister of Supply during the period of World War II.
He served as a director for both the Bank of England and Imperial Chemical Industries. Between 1927 and 1935, Duncan was chairman of the Central Electricity Board, followed by his leadership of the British Iron and Steel Federation from 1935 until 1945. In a 1940 by-election, he was elected as a "National" MP representing the City of London. Subsequently, he joined the Cabinet and was appointed to the Privy Council. He successfully retained his seat in the 1945 general election and stepped down in 1950.
Although concerns were raised about potential conflicts arising from his industrial affiliations, Duncan continued to fulfill his ministerial duties throughout the war. Following the conflict, he resumed his role at the Iron and Steel Federation, actively resisting the nationalisation policies pursued by the Labour government, working closely with his assistant Aubrey Jones, who later held office as a Conservative minister.
Duncan was knighted in 1921 and honored with the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in 1938. Additionally, he was awarded the Italian Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. In 1926, he was appointed by Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King to chair the Royal Commission on Maritime Claims—commonly referred to as the "Duncan Commission"—which addressed economic concerns specific to regional communities.
He married Anne Jordan in 1916, and they had two sons; tragically, one was killed in action in 1940. Sir Andrew Duncan passed away peacefully in his sleep on 30 March 1952 at age 67.