George Kynoch (22 August 1834 - 28 February 1891) was the founder of IMI plc, one of the United Kingdom's largest engineering businesses.
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Born at Peterhead in Aberdeenshire and educated at the local school, George Kynoch first worked as an insurance clerk in Glasgow and then as a bank clerk in Worcester.[1] After working for a while at larger bank branch in Birmingham, in 1856 he decided to join Pursall & Phillips, ammunition manufacturers, in Birmingham.[1] In September 1861 he proceeded to set up his own ammunition business on four acres of land that he acquired at Witton near Handsworth.[1] The Lion Works, as it became known, quickly secured contracts to supply ammunition to the British and Turkish Governments.[1] In 1884 his interests were bought out and he was simply employed as Managing Director.[2]
In 1886 he became Member of Parliament for Aston Manor and in 1987 he was appointed President of Aston Villa Football Club.[1] These roles distracted him from his business and in 1888 he was forced to resign: he emigrated to South Africa and died in Johannesburg in 1891.[1]
In 1863 he married Helen Birley.[1]
Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
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Preceded by Hugh Gilzean-Reid |
Member of Parliament for Aston Manor 1886–1891 |
Succeeded by George Grice-Hutchinson |