Bob Reid (businessman) facts for kids

Sir Robert Paul Reid was an important British businessman. He was born on May 1, 1934, and passed away on May 28, 2025. He is best known for leading British Rail, the UK's railway system, from 1990 to 1995.

Early Life and Education

Sir Robert Paul Reid studied at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. He also earned a special degree from the European Business School London. These studies helped him prepare for a successful career in business.

A Career in Business

Sir Robert had a long and impressive career. He started working at Shell, a big energy company, in 1956. He worked his way up and became the Chief Executive of Shell from 1985 to 1990. This meant he was in charge of the entire company.

Leading British Rail

In 1990, Sir Robert took on a new challenge. He became the Chairman of the British Railways Board. This board was responsible for running all the trains and railway lines in Britain. He took over from another person named Sir Robert Reid, but they were not related.

He led British Rail until 1995. During this time, big changes were happening to the railways. The government began a process called privatisation. This meant that parts of the railway system, which used to be owned by the government, were sold to private companies.

Other Important Roles

After his time leading the railways, Sir Robert continued to hold many important positions. He became the Chairman of the International Petroleum Exchange, which is a place where oil and gas are traded. He was also the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Scotland, helping to manage the bank. Later, he became the Chancellor of Robert Gordon University, a top role at the university.

Later Life

Sir Robert Paul Reid passed away on May 28, 2025, at the age of 91.