Aberdeen business tycoon Sir Jim Milne dies aged 85

The leading businessman and philanthropist Sir Jim Milne has died at the age of 85.

A self-described "farmer's loon" from Aberdeen, he left school aged 14 with no qualifications, but built a career in agricultural engineering.

He then helped found the Balmoral Group manufacturing company in 1980.

It developed into a global player in oil and gas services, operating in over 15 countries, and diversified into renewable energy as well as property.

Well known in Aberdeen for his charity work, Milne established the Friends of Anchor healthcare charity in 1997, after his first wife Jill died of cancer three years earlier.

After he married his second wife Lady Gillian there in 2001, Milne tried to buy Aberdeen's only five-star hotel, the Marcliffe at Pitfodels, from his friend Stewart Spence.

He eventually succeeded in 2024 and embarked on a major redevelopment and expansion project.

Made a CBE in 1994, he was knighted for his business and charity work in 2022.

He also held honorary doctorates from Aberdeen, Robert Gordon and Edinburgh Napier universities.

Balmoral Comtec was sold earlier this year to Freudenberg Flow Technologies, and the Balmoral Group's Aberdeen headquarters became the family investment office, also administering the Milnes' charity foundation.

Milne died at home in Aberdeen on Tuesday, surrounded by his family.

In a statement the Balmoral Group paid tribute to his vision, loyalty to his people, enthusiasm and sheer hard work.