Former Avecia chief Scudamore dies at 64
TRIBUTES have been paid to Jeremy Scudamore, a leading Cheshire-based businessman, who died on Monday.
The 64-year-old from Tarporley was best known for leading the venture-capital-backed £1.3bn buyout of Manchester-based chemicals company Avecia from AstraZeneca 12 years ago.
He began his career at ICI in 1971 and rose up through the company, holding various general manager positions within ICI and Zeneca and then serving as MD of Zeneca Seeds, business director of Zeneca Agrochemicals and regional executive – Eastern Europe, Zeneca Group.
In 1997, he became chief executive of Zeneca Specialties and Chairman of Zeneca Manufacturing Partnership, before leading buyout of the business.
Over the next few years he refocused the renamed Avecia into a pure biotechnology company, and in 2005 became its chairman.
In recent years he took a number of non-executive positions in the technology sector and served on the board of ARM Holdings, Stem Cell Sciences, Plant Health Care and Oxford Advanced Surfaces.
He was also Chairman of England’s North West Science Council.
In a statement yesterday the chairman of AIM-listed Plant Health Care paid tribute to him.
Dr Dominik Koechlin said: “On behalf of the board and everyone at Plant Health Care, I would like to extend our condolences to Jeremy’s wife Ruth and to their family.
“Plant Health Care was fortunate to be able to recruit Jeremy as a non-executive director after his long and highly successful executive career with ICI, AstraZeneca and Avecia. We benefited greatly from Jeremy’s wise counsel, his expertise in the agrochemical sector and his broad public company experience.
“Jeremy was unstinting in his commitment to Plant Health Care and his thoughtful advice was always of the highest standard. He will be missed.”
Pierre Jungels, chairman of Oxford Catalysts, where he was a non-executive director added: “The board is deeply saddened by the news and our thoughts are with Jeremy’s family at this difficult time.
“Since joining the board in March 2007, Jeremy has added great value to Oxford Catalysts having performed his role with great endeavor, integrity and with the benefit of huge experience. Jeremy will be missed by the Oxford Catalysts team.”
The funeral of Mr Scudamore, known to his friends as Jem, will take place a week today at St Helen’s Parish Church, Tarporley at 11am.
