Bournville Village Trust (BVT) is deeply saddened by the news that Sir Adrian Cadbury, a Trustee of the organisation for 30 years, has died at the age of 86.
Sir Adrian, a grandson of the Trust’s founder George Cadbury, was a Trustee from 1962 -1992, during which time new homes across Bournville, including Europe’s largest solar village of environmentally-friendly homes, were developed.
He was Chairman of Cadbury Schweppes from 1974 to 1998, a long serving Director of the Bank of England and Chancellor of Aston University for 25 years.
Sir Adrian (pictured on the right with Prince Richard Duke of Gloucester at the centenary of Bournville School) became a leading expert on ‘Corporate Governance’.
He chaired a national committee of inquiry whose findings, published in 1993, were universally known as the Cadbury Code. It is still held up today as an exemplar of how corporations should be managed.
Whilst at Cambridge, he rowed for the University and was a member of the British Olympic Rowing Team at the Helsinki Games in 1952.
In 1997 he was Knighted and later became a Deputy Lieutenant, was a Former High Sheriff of the West Midlands and, in January this year, was appointed Companion of Honour.
Duncan Cadbury, Chair of Bournville Village Trust, said; “There are so many people whose lives Sir Adrian touched with his unfailing ability to inspire and encourage.
“He was hugely successful in so many different spheres and, with his quiet charm and regard for others, had the ability to bring out the best in every situation and every person.
“In recent years Sir Adrian retained his interest in BVT, visiting the developing Lightmoor Village in Shropshire, attending the opening of the Trust’s new headquarters at 350 Bournville Lane, and showing great support for the Care Village now under construction at College Green in Bournville.
“Only a few weeks ago he visited the Trust’s museum Selly Manor to see the launch of a book about his father Laurence’s collection of Tudor furniture.
“Sir Adrian’s unique contribution to industry, commerce and communities – locally, regionally, nationally and internationally – and his impact on the many individuals he met means that he will greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Sir Adrian Cadbury born 15th April 1929 – died 3rd September 2015