Sir Jim Milne, the pioneering Aberdeen businessman who built Balmoral Group into an international success and transformed cancer care in the north-east of Scotland, has died aged 85.
The entrepreneur, who rose from humble beginnings to become one of Scotland’s most respected business figures, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, 10 November.
His death was announced by Balmoral Group, which paid tribute to his extraordinary contribution to business, charity and the city of Aberdeen.
Born on Boxing Day in 1940 at the Home Farm of Tullos, Aberdeen, Sir Jim was the youngest of nine children. He left school at 14 without qualifications and began working as a message boy for agricultural engineers Barclay, Ross and Hutchison.
He worked his way into the drawing office, where he recognised the potential of glassfibre as an alternative to metal in agricultural equipment.
In the 1960s, he launched North East Glassfibre Works from an old RAF hut that had previously been used by his family as a mushroom shed.
The business grew into Aberglen Group, which eventually employed around 1,000 people across 21 divisions.
However, the collapse of the Iranian and Nigerian markets contributed to Aberglen entering receivership in March 1980.
Six months later, Sir Jim started again with just four employees, founding Balmoral Group in September 1980.
Early contracts with BP and Shell helped establish the new company, which went on to become a world leader in deepwater buoyancy technology.
One of its biggest breakthroughs came in 1999, when Balmoral secured a $50 million contract for the Girassol offshore development in Angola.
The business received three Queen’s Awards for International Trade and expanded its operations across international markets.
Sir Jim also demonstrated his determination to overcome setbacks. Following a High Court defeat in 2006, he rebuilt Balmoral’s offshore business at the age of 66, securing a £12 million contract with BP within weeks.
The following years became among the most successful in the company’s history.
Balmoral Group subsequently diversified into manufacturing, commercial property and hospitality, with annual sales exceeding £200 million and operations reaching more than 55 countries.
In 2024, Sir Jim acquired Aberdeen’s five-star Marcliffe Hotel, a property with particular personal significance. He and his wife Gillian had held their wedding reception there in 2001.
He had long wanted to own the hotel and planned to develop it into a destination that would make Aberdeen proud, subsequently acquiring the neighbouring Woodbank property.
In 2026, the sale of Balmoral Comtec to Freudenberg Flow Technologies marked another significant chapter, with Balmoral Group becoming a family investment office focused on supporting businesses and reinvesting profits in communities.
Earlier this month, the company was recognised in The Sunday Times Fast 50, while Sir Jim received its Entrepreneurial Spirit award.
His achievements extended far beyond business.
In 1997, he co-founded Friends of ANCHOR, the charity supporting cancer and haematology patients across the north-east of Scotland, and served as its chairman from the beginning.
Balmoral Group covers the charity’s fundraising and administration costs, ensuring every penny donated goes directly towards supporting patients, research, equipment and wellbeing services.
Sir Jim was also known for visiting hospital wards dressed as Santa Claus each Christmas, distributing presents to patients and staff.
His commitment to charitable work was further demonstrated through the Milne Family Foundation, established in 2016, which now distributes more than £2 million annually to over 60 charitable partners.
He was appointed CBE in 1994 and knighted in 2022 for services to business and charity.
Despite his considerable success, Sir Jim remained proud of his modest beginnings and his Doric roots.
For more than 40 years, he attended the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston wearing his kilt, often introducing himself to potential customers with the words: “I’m a peer fairmer’s loon fae Aberdeen.”
Asked at the age of 80 why he was still working, he replied simply: “I love it.”
Announcing his death, Balmoral Group said: “It is hard to put into words his profound impact on not only Balmoral Group, but the North East of Scotland as a whole. Driven by a deep love of Aberdeen and immense pride in putting the city on the global map, Sir Jim built Balmoral into a renowned global leader across multiple markets and, as co-founder and chairman of Friends of ANCHOR, made a lasting, positive impact on the lives of thousands of people across the north of Scotland affected by cancer or a blood disorder.”
The company added: “His vision, loyalty to his people, enthusiasm and, most of all, sheer hard work are some of the many reasons we stand here today, and they will continue to guide Balmoral Group.”
It continued: “While we mourn the loss of this inspirational and beloved man, our immediate focus is on celebrating his life and supporting our people. We will continue to invest in high-potential businesses and reinvest in community and charitable initiatives, ensuring our success delivers meaningful and lasting social impact. Sir Jim wouldn’t want anything less.”
Sir Jim is survived by his wife Gillian, daughters Sarah-Jane and Caroline, sons Cameron and Ewan, and five grandchildren. His first wife, Jill, died of cancer in 1994.
His funeral will be private, and the family has requested donations to Friends of ANCHOR in place of flowers.
Balmoral Group concluded its tribute with one of Sir Jim’s reflections on life:
“Time. The greatest gift you can give someone is your time. Because when you give your time, you give a portion of your life that you will never get back.”