James Fletcher

Background

His father, Sir James Fletcher (Senior), founded the company in 1908. Fletcher was born in Dunedin, New Zealand on Christmas Day 1914.

Career

He was James Senior"s second son. Lady Fletcher was Treasurer of the Mental Health Foundation. In 1988 she was awarded the Administration Member of the Order of the British Empire. Sir James and Lady Fletcher had three children - Jim, Angus, and Hugh Fletcher.

Their eldest son Jim was killed by an intruder at his Bay of Plenty bach (holiday home) on New Year"s Eve 1993.

Angus married Christine Fletcher, former Minister of the Crown and Mayor of Auckland, and Hugh now runs Fletcher Holdings. Following the election of the First Labour Government in 1935, Sir James senior established an enduring friendship with the government, leading to Fletchers" building some of the first state houses in New Zealand.

When James senior was seconded by the government in 1942, James junior, took over the running of Fletcher Holdings. At the time he was just 27 years old.

Sir James was chairman of Fletcher Holdings from 1972 to 1981 and was president of the new Fletcher Challenge conglomerate from 1981.

He resigned as a director of the company in 1990. He was knighted in 1980.

Achievements

• Among his achievements was the forestry joint venture with the Holland National Government in the 1950s to build the Tasman Pulp and Paper Company mill at Kawerau.