Eric Yarrow
Sir Eric Grant Yarrow, 3rd Baronet | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 April 1920 |
| Died | 22 September 2018 (aged 98) |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, shipbuilding executive |
| Years active | 1946–1987 |
| Known for | Chairman and President of Yarrow plc; non-executive director and chairman of Clydesdale Bank |
Sir Eric Grant Yarrow, 3rd Baronet (23 April 1920 – 22 September 2018) was a prominent figure in British business.
Following his service as a major with the Royal Engineers during the Second World War, he entered the family enterprise, Yarrows, based in Scotstoun, Glasgow, in 1946. At the age of 38, he assumed the role of managing director and, after the passing of his father Sir Harold Yarrow in 1962, was appointed chairman. Subsequently, he held the position of President of Yarrow plc until 1987. Additionally, he served as a non-executive director at Clydesdale Bank from 1962 to 1985 and then as its chairman until 1991.
Sir Eric is recognized for steering the Glasgow shipbuilding company through challenging times in the British shipbuilding sector, significantly bolstering the company's standing amid widespread industry contraction. A key element of this achievement was his focus on sustaining and growing Yarrows' longstanding collaboration with the Royal Navy—famed for its swift vessels—thereby securing contracts from both domestic and international naval forces. Under his guidance, Yarrows became a principal contractor for the Type 21, Type 22, Type 23, and Type 45 frigate projects and continues to participate in the Type 26 programme alongside the Govan shipyard.
In 1972, he was named Vice-President of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and held the office of prime warden of the Shipwrights' Company during 1970–71, among various other charitable appointments.
He received an MBE in recognition of his military contributions in 1946. Upon his father's death in 1962, he inherited the baronetcy as the third baronet and was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Renfrewshire in 1970. The title later passed to his eldest grandson, Ross.
Philanthropic and other interests
Sir Eric occupied leadership positions within shipbuilding and engineering bodies, including serving as Deacon of Glasgow's Incorporation of Hammermen in 1961 and Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights in 1970. In 1975, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Continuing his family’s tradition of supporting the Princess Louise Hospital at Erskine, he chaired its board of governors and played an active role in fundraising initiatives. Furthermore, he held the presidency of the Scottish Branch of the Burma Star Association starting in 1990.
Personal life
In 1951, Sir Eric married Rosemary Ann Young (who passed away in 1957); they had one son, Richard Grant Yarrow (1953–1987), whose son Ross Yarrow (born 1985) succeeded to the baronetcy. He remarried in 1959 to Annette Elizabeth Françoise Steven; they had three sons together, including twins Norman and Peter (born 1960) and David Yarrow (born 1966). The marriage ended in divorce in 1975. In 1982, he wed Caroline Botting (née Masters) and lived in Renfrewshire until his death on 22 September 2018 at age 98.
Honours
- Baronet (Bt)
- MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire)
- OStJ (Officer of the Order of St John)
See also
External links
- Burke's Peerage and Baronetage
- Who's Who
- Profile: Eric Yarrow Frost's Scottish Who's Who