#991, Henry Neville Lindley KESWICK

Created a Knight Bachelor in the 2009 Birthday Honours as Chairman of Jardine Matheson for services to British interests overseas and charitable activities in the UK

Former owner of The Spectator who has strong family connections with Scotland leaves board of Jardine Matheson from 31 December. The doyen of Hong Kong's international business community, Sir Henry Keswick (#991) is retiring from active business life as he reaches 80.

Sir Henry, a former owner of The Spectator, has strong family connections with Scotland and he owns an 18,000-acre shooting estate, Hunthill Estate, in the Angus glens in the East of Scotland.  He leaves the board of Jardine Matheson, the Hong Kong conglomerate and family-run dynasty, as chairman from 31st December 2018. He will become Chairman Emeritus.

Ben Keswick will replace Sir Henry as Executive Chairman and will continue in his role as Managing Director. He will remain resident in Hong Kong.

Incoming chairman Ben Keswick said: "Sir Henry, whose retirement as Chairman is announced on his 80th birthday today, has been central to Jardine Matheson for more than half a century. Deeply rooted in China, where he was born, and in Hong Kong, his understanding of Asia's dynamic business climate and his personal friendships with its business and political leaders have been a tremendous asset to Jardines."

Keswick's exceptional entrepreneurial drive helped grow the business from £60 million to £19.9 billion since he became Chairman in 1972.  He took over from Sir John Keswick who was the father of Maggie Keswick Jencks, creator of the cancer charity, Maggie's Centres

Jardines' position in mainland China and Hong Kong has been transformed and its presence in Southeast Asia has been greatly extended. Through this transformation Jardines has retained the strong heritage, management culture and business values which have underpinned our success since Jardines was founded in 1832. Today we have a uniquely strong platform for further expansion.  "We will continue to benefit from Sir Henry's experience, insight, and advice in his new role as Chairman Emeritus," said Ben Keswick.

Sir Henry Keswick said: "It has been my honour to serve at the helm of one of the great long term business institutions. Ben's succession has been progressing for a number of years and I have great confidence that he will continue to drive the business to further success."

He is also stepped down from the board of Mandarin Oriental International Limited, Dairy Farm International Holdings Limited, Hongkong Land Holdings Limited, and Jardine Strategic Holdings.

Statement issued upon Sir Henry standing down as Chairman at the end of 2018