Sir John Buchanan

Sir John Gordon St Clair Buchanan 
Born 9 June 1943
Passed 13 July 2015, age 72

New Zealand-born scientist and Oil Executive

Buchanan was born in Auckland in June 1943 and grew up in Papatoetoe. Educated at Auckland Grammar School, at the University of Auckland (BSc, MSc, PhD in organic Chemistry). He then moved to the UK to study at Oxford and Harvard Universities.

His impressive career:

Buchanan joined BP (Oil and gas company) in 1970, where he progressed through the ranks and eventually was appointed as the group's top finance executive, which caused surprise given that his background is in science and not in accountancy. He retired from BP in 2002

• For 12 years, Buchanan was an independent director of BHP (mining, metals and petroleum)

• He was a director of Alliance Boots (Health and Beauty pharmacy)

• He was deputy chairman of Vodafone (Telecommunications)

• He was a director of ARM Holdings (Software)

• He was a director of AstraZeneca (Pharmaceutical and Biotechnical)

• Buchanan became chairman of Smith & Nephew (Medical equipment manufacturer) in April 2006 and remained in that position until his death.

He was chairman of the UK chapter of the International Chamber of Commerce from May 2008 until his death.

Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, he was founding Chairman of the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust UK that he set up with the help of the New Zealand High Commission in London.

In the 2012 New Year Honours, Buchanan was knighted for or services to industry.

Buchanan developed pancreatic cancer circa 2011 and became unwell in late 2014 and relinquished some of his roles.

Sir John Buchanan is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.