Jimmy McGregor

Sir James David McGregor
Born	(1924-01-30) 30 January 1924 Edinburgh, Scotland
Died	14 July 2014(2014-07-14) (aged 90)
Occupation(s)	Colonial administrator, politician, business executive
Years active	1951–1997
Known for	Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (1988–1995); Member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong (1995–1997); Director of Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce

Sir James David McGregor (30 January 1924 – 14 July 2014) was a distinguished Hong Kong colonial administrator who represented the Commercial (First) functional constituency in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong from 1988 until 1995. Subsequently, he served as a non-official member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong between 1995 and 1997. Additionally, he held the position of director at the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

Early life, civil service and business career

Originating from Edinburgh, Scotland, McGregor received his education at Dux Boy Aberhill H.G. School. He arrived in Hong Kong in 1951 as a non-commissioned officer with the Royal Air Force. In 1954, he joined the colonial administration’s Commerce and Industry Department as an executive officer and eventually advanced to an administrative officer role.

During the Hong Kong 1967 Leftist Riots, McGregor served as Assistant Director and was actively involved in the anti-propaganda "war room" organized by Jack Cater. His contributions earned him the Companion of the Imperial Service Order in 1971. After dedicating 22 years to public service, he departed government service in 1973 and was honored as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1976.

Transitioning into the private sector, McGregor led the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce as director from 1975 through 1988, during which time he managed its relocation to offices at United Centre in Admiralty, Hong Kong. He also held the role of vice-chairman at the Hongkong Chinese Bank.

Political career

In the Legislative Council elections of 1988, McGregor contested the Commercial (First) functional constituency as a liberal candidate promoting expanded democratic reforms. He triumphed over Veronica Wu, who had support from the conservative Group of 88, securing 478 votes against her 236. He characterized this outcome as "a victory for greater democracy."

In May 1989, together with legislator Dr. Leong Che-hung, he co-established the Hong Kong Democratic Foundation (HKDF). He successfully defended his Legislative Council seat in the 1991 election against Paul Cheng, winning by a margin of 487 to 416 votes. McGregor endorsed Governor Chris Patten’s electoral reform initiatives in 1994 and supported Emily Lau’s 1995 motion advocating for a legislature fully elected by direct vote.

As tensions between Britain and China intensified over these reforms, McGregor faced a significant setback in the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce’s 1994 general committee election. Garnering only 543 votes out of approximately 2,000 cast, he lost his seat for the first time since 1989. He attributed this defeat to the chamber’s increasing alignment with pro-China interests. In addition, his pro-democracy stance led to his resignation from the directorship at Hongkong Chinese Bank in 1993. McGregor concluded his Legislative Council tenure in September 1995.

The following month, October 1995, Governor Patten appointed him to the Executive Council as Dame Lydia Dunn’s successor. He continued as a senior figure and mentor within HKDF until retiring to Canada in 1997. Shortly prior to Hong Kong's handover, McGregor was knighted in June 1997 alongside Donald Tsang, then Financial Secretary and future Chief Executive.

Retirement and death

Married to Christine Kwai-cheung McGregor with whom he had two children, Sir James retired to Vancouver. There, he pursued interests such as golf and gardening while maintaining an active interest in Hong Kong affairs. In his later years, he encountered mobility challenges and passed away at age ninety on 14 July 2014.