James Fletcher Jnr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir James Fletcher
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| Born | 25 December 1914 Dunedin, New Zealand
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| Died | 29 August 2007 (aged 92) Auckland, New Zealand
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| Occupation | Managing Director Fletcher Holdings 1942–1979 Chairman of Fletcher Holdings from 1979 to 1981 President and director of the Fletcher Challenge 1981–1990. |
| Spouse(s) | Vaughan Gunthorp |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | James Fletcher (father) Hugh Fletcher (son) Sian Elias (daughter-in-law) Andrew Cameron (great-uncle) |
Sir James Muir Cameron Fletcher (born December 25, 1914 – died August 29, 2007) was a very important New Zealand businessman. People often called him Jim or JC Junior. He was famous for leading Fletcher Construction, which became one of the biggest companies in New Zealand. His father, also named Sir James Fletcher, started the company in 1908.
Early Life and Family
James Fletcher was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, on Christmas Day in 1914. He was the second son of James Senior.
In 1942, James Junior became the head of Fletcher Holdings. That same year, he married Margery Vaughan Gunthorp. She was born in 1912 in Balclutha. Vaughan was very involved in helping the community. She worked as the treasurer for the Mental Health Foundation. In 1988, she was given an award called the Member of the Order of the British Empire for her community work.
James and Vaughan Fletcher had three children: Jim, Angus, and Hugh Fletcher. Their oldest son, Jim, sadly passed away in 1993. Angus married Christine Fletcher, who later became a Minister and the Mayor of Auckland. Today, their son Hugh runs Fletcher Holdings.
Leading Fletcher Construction
In 1937, James Fletcher joined his father's construction company. The company, called Fletcher Construction, built many important things in New Zealand.
After the Labour Government was elected in 1935, James Senior became good friends with the government leaders. This led to Fletcher Construction building some of the very first state houses in New Zealand. These were homes built by the government for people to live in.
In 1942, when James Senior was asked by the government to help with other important work, his son James Junior took over the company. He was only 27 years old at the time. One of his big achievements was a project in the 1950s. He worked with the National Government to build the Tasman Pulp and Paper Company mill in Kawerau. This mill was very important for making paper and wood products.
James Fletcher was the chairman of Fletcher Holdings from 1972 to 1981. After that, he became the president of a new, larger company called Fletcher Challenge in 1981. He stopped being a director of the company in 1990.
Awards and Recognition
Sir James Fletcher received many important awards for his work.
In 1980, he was made a Knight Bachelor. This means he was given the title "Sir" for his great contributions to business and the community. In 1997, he received New Zealand's highest civilian honour. He was appointed a Member of the Order of New Zealand. Also in 1997, James Fletcher was added to the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame. This is a special place for people who have made a huge difference in New Zealand business.
His wife, Vaughan, Lady Fletcher, also received an award. In 1988, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her amazing service to the community.
