Chairman of £350m group passes away aged 82

The chairman of a 140 year-old family-run business, John Rix, has passed away at the age of 82 following a short illness.

John was chairman of J R Rix & Sons, which was founded in the 1870s by Robert Rix. John was the 4th generation of his family to join the company, which he did at the age of 16, and stayed with the business for more than six decades.

Now, the business turns over £358m annually according to its last available accounts, and employs 600 people.

Initially a shipping business it diversified under John Rix’s management. It started as a single depot for fuel distribution in Hull, to become one of the largest family-owned fuel distribution businesses in the county.

It is involved in wind farm workboats, coastal and estuarial tank barges, stevedoring and warehousing, inland and marine fuel distribution, lubricants, fuel cards, property, car sales, and the manufacture of static caravans.

In recent years, John stepped back from the day to day running of the organisation to concentrate on sailing as a supporter of the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club, as well as being president of the Driffield Agricultural Society and to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Chamber of Commerce.

Chief executive of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce, Dr Ian Kelly, said: “Everyone at the Chamber was greatly saddened to hear this news.

“He was one of his generation’s leading businessmen – a well-known, straight-talking and hugely respected figure in the business community.

“He was a popular figure who made a big impression in the business community in this part of the world and he will be sadly missed. We send our condolences to his family.”

His son Tim had taken over day-to-day operations and was looking forward to seeing the 6th generation come into the business in the near future.

John leaves behind his widow Veronica, his son Tim and daughters Sally and Lucinda.