Sidney Gordon (businessman)
Encyclopedia
Sir Sidney Gordon, CBE, GBM
, JP
(20 August 19172007) was a major force in the development of Colonial Hong Kong
from 1956 until his death in 2007.
in Scotland. In his early life he suffered from chronic ill health and was diagnosed with pleurisy
as a child. This tendency towards sickness meant that Sidney, unlike his brother Lesley, never saw action during World War II
. However, due to the experience he had accumulated in the Scottish accounting industry he was asked to work in the United Kingdom
's biggest munitions factory at Ardeer in Ayrshire.
It was while working as an accountant here that Sidney was offered a position with Lowe, Bingham and Thomsons (which later became Lowe, Bingham and Mathews, and later PricewaterhouseCoopers
) in Hong Kong. Sidney accepted this position in 1947, and by 1956 had become a senior partner at the firm.
in such companies as Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels group, China Light and Power
, and Tai Ping Carpets. It was through his appointment as the accountant for this company that Sidney developed a deep friendship with Lord Kadoorie and the Kadoorie family, and when he left Lowe Bingham and Matthews, he joined the Board of Directors of Sir Elly Kadoorie and Sons, eventually becoming the group's chairman.
Sidney Gordon was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire
(CBE) in 1967 and was knight
ed in 1972 for services to Hong Kong
. He also received the Grand Bauhinia Medal
in 1999, the highest award available to the Hong Kong government
Grand Bauhinia Medal
The Grand Bauhinia Medal the highest award under the Hong Kong honours and awards system, is to recognise the selected person's lifelong and highly significant contribution to the well-being of Hong Kong. The awardee is entitled to the postnominal letters GBM and the style "The Honorable"...
, JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(20 August 19172007) was a major force in the development of Colonial Hong Kong
Colonial Hong Kong
In the 19th century the British, Dutch, French, Indians and Americans saw Imperial China as the world's largest untapped market. In 1840 the British Empire launched their first and one of the most aggressive expeditionary forces to claim the territory that would later be known as Hong Kong.In a few...
from 1956 until his death in 2007.
Life in Scotland
Sidney Samuel Gordon was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and was the son of the managing director of British Lion FilmsBritish Lion Films
British Lion Films Corporation is a film production and distribution company active under several forms since 1919. Until 1976 they were also film distributors as British Lion Films Ltd, with a distributor filmography of 232 films. As a production company they are still active and have produced...
in Scotland. In his early life he suffered from chronic ill health and was diagnosed with pleurisy
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs. Among other things, infections are the most common cause of pleurisy....
as a child. This tendency towards sickness meant that Sidney, unlike his brother Lesley, never saw action during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. However, due to the experience he had accumulated in the Scottish accounting industry he was asked to work in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's biggest munitions factory at Ardeer in Ayrshire.
It was while working as an accountant here that Sidney was offered a position with Lowe, Bingham and Thomsons (which later became Lowe, Bingham and Mathews, and later PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest professional services firm measured by revenues and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms....
) in Hong Kong. Sidney accepted this position in 1947, and by 1956 had become a senior partner at the firm.
Life in Hong Kong
As a Senior Partner in Lowe, Bingham and Matthews, Gordon became the primary accountant to Sir Elly Kadoorie and Sons, the corporation that, to this day, is the major shareholderShareholder
A shareholder or stockholder is an individual or institution that legally owns one or more shares of stock in a public or private corporation. Shareholders own the stock, but not the corporation itself ....
in such companies as Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels group, China Light and Power
China Light and Power
The CLP Group and its holding company, CLP Holdings Ltd , is a Hong Kong electric company that businesses in a number of Asian markets and Australia....
, and Tai Ping Carpets. It was through his appointment as the accountant for this company that Sidney developed a deep friendship with Lord Kadoorie and the Kadoorie family, and when he left Lowe Bingham and Matthews, he joined the Board of Directors of Sir Elly Kadoorie and Sons, eventually becoming the group's chairman.
Sidney Gordon was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(CBE) in 1967 and was knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
ed in 1972 for services to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. He also received the Grand Bauhinia Medal
Grand Bauhinia Medal
The Grand Bauhinia Medal the highest award under the Hong Kong honours and awards system, is to recognise the selected person's lifelong and highly significant contribution to the well-being of Hong Kong. The awardee is entitled to the postnominal letters GBM and the style "The Honorable"...
in 1999, the highest award available to the Hong Kong government
Positions held
| Organization | Position Held |
|---|---|
| Lowe, Bingham and Matthews Hong Kong (PricewaterhouseCoopers PricewaterhouseCoopers PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest professional services firm measured by revenues and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms.... ) |
Senior Partner |
| The Royal Hong Kong Golf Club Hong Kong Golf Club The Hong Kong Golf Club is a private golf club, and is one of only a few in Hong Kong. It is home to the Hong Kong Open, a tournament co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.... |
President and Captain |
| The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club | Senior Steward |
| Executive Council of Hong Kong Executive Council of Hong Kong The Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week... , ExCo |
Member; 1965–1980 |
| Kadoorie Group, Sir Elly Kadoorie and Sons | Chairman |
| China Light and Power China Light and Power The CLP Group and its holding company, CLP Holdings Ltd , is a Hong Kong electric company that businesses in a number of Asian markets and Australia.... |
Chairman |
| The Community Chest of Hong Kong The Community Chest of Hong Kong The Community Chest of Hong Kong is an independent, non-profit organisation. It was established on 8 November 1968 in Hong Kong. As one of the most important charities in Hong Kong, The Community Chest serves as an umbrella organisation to provide grants to a wide range of community projects... |
Co-Founder |
| Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels group | Director and Chairman |