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Julian Ogilvie Thompson
Born(1934-01-27)27 January 1934
Died11 August 2023(2023-08-11) (aged 89)
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
EducationDiocesan College
Alma materWorcester College, Oxford
OccupationBusinessman
SpouseTessa Mary Brand
Parent(s)Eve and Newton Ogilvie Thompson

Julian Ogilvie Thompson (27 January 1934 – 11 August 2023) was a South African businessman who was chairman of De Beers and the Anglo American mining company.

Early life[edit]

Julian Ogilvie Thompson was born on 27 January 1934 in Cape Town, Union of South Africa.[1] His father, Newton Ogilvie Thompson, was a judge of Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa.[2]

Ogilvie Thompson was educated at Diocesan College in Cape Town and Worcester College, Oxford.

Career[edit]

Ogilvie Thompson became personal assistant to Harry Oppenheimer in 1957, and he joined the Anglo American finance division in 1961. He went on to manage and head this division and also joined the De Beers board in 1966.

Ogilvie Thompson was appointed an executive director of Anglo American in 1971 and a vice chairman of Barclays National Bank, former First National Bank, in 1977. He succeeded Harry Oppenheimer as chairman of Minorco in 1982 and as chairman of De Beers in 1985. He succeeded Gavin Relly as chairman of Anglo American in 1990 and retired as chairman of De Beers in 1997 to become non-executive deputy chairman. After leading the 1999 merger of Anglo American and Minorco, Ogilvie Thompson became its chairman and CEO. He was succeeded by Tony Trahar in 2000 but continued as non-executive chairman. He resigned as deputy chairman of De Beers in 2002, but continued to be a non-executive director.

Ogilvie Thompson was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation.

Plaque unveiled by Ogilvie Thompson (De Beers Centenary Art Gallery, University of Fort Hare)

Personal life[edit]

Ogilvie Thompson married The Honourable Tessa Mary Brand, daughter of Thomas Brand, 4th Viscount Hampden in 1956. Tessa Mary Brand died on 14 February 2020 aged 85.[3][4]

Julian Ogilvie Thompson died in Johannesburg on 11 August 2023, at the age of 89.[5][6][7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Ogilvie Thompson, Julian". Who's Who 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  2. ^ SCA Former Chief Justices of the Appellate Division Archived 10 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine "1971–1974 : N Ogilvie Thompson", Updated: 22 May 2015
  3. ^ Ogilvie Thompson
  4. ^ Rhodes, Michael (15 February 2020). "Peerage News: Hon Tessa Mary Ogilvie Thompson 1934-2020". Peerage News. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Julian Ogilvie Thompson". The Telegraph. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  6. ^ Julian Ogilvie Thomson (at Bishops from 1943 - 1952) sadly passed away on Friday 11 August 2023.
  7. ^ Steyn, Compiled by Helena Wasserman and Lisa. "Former Anglo, De Beers chair Julian Ogilvie Thompson dies in Joburg". Business. Retrieved 15 August 2023.

External links[edit]


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