William R. Miller (businessman)
Encyclopedia
William Robert Miller CBE
(born 1928), sometimes known as Bill Miller, is a British-born businessman who was Vice-Chairman of Bristol-Myers Squibb
until 1990. Subsequently, he has become a philanthropist and supporter of scientific, artistic, educational and ecclesiastical causes.
William (Bill) Robert Miller was born in 1928 in Paddington, West London
, one of three brothers. In 1939, Bill was evacuated from the war
with his mother and brothers to Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
, whilst his father stayed behind. After a year at a state school, he won a scholarship to Culford School
, which he attended until 1946 before winning a further scholarship to read PPE at St Edmund Hall, Oxford
. Three years of National Service in the RAF intervened once the family moved back to London, and he took up his place at Oxford in 1949, graduating in 1952.
Upon leaving university, Miller began a career in the pharmaceuticals industry with Pfizer
, rising to become Area Manager for Central Europe and Africa, before moving to US-based Bristol Laboratories in 1964 as Resident Overseas Manager for Europe (Bristol became Bristol-Myers Squibb, or BMS, in 1989). In 1985 he became Vice-Chairman of the company with worldwide responsibility for the pharmaceutical and nutritional businesses, including research. He retired in 1990.
With his second wife, Irene Diaman Miller, who had graduated from the Stern School of Business in 1954, Miller settled in New York City
with three children from his first marriage and two from Irene’s. Together, they established the Miller Family Foundation, through which they have made sizeable bequests to institutions such as the Manhattan School of Music
and Bill Miller's former school and university.
Already Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2011 Birthday Honours
for services to UK/US relations in business and for philanthropy.
In addition Bill Miller and the Miller Family Foundation have been involved as directors, benefactors or supporters of educational, artistic and charitable institutions, of which the following are a cross-section:
William R. Miller was awarded the OBE in 2000 for services to British Charities in the US.
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...
(born 1928), sometimes known as Bill Miller, is a British-born businessman who was Vice-Chairman of Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb , often referred to as BMS, is a pharmaceutical company, headquartered in New York City. The company was formed in 1989, following the merger of its predecessors Bristol-Myers and the Squibb Corporation...
until 1990. Subsequently, he has become a philanthropist and supporter of scientific, artistic, educational and ecclesiastical causes.
William (Bill) Robert Miller was born in 1928 in Paddington, West London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, one of three brothers. In 1939, Bill was evacuated from the war
The Blitz
The Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...
with his mother and brothers to Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
, whilst his father stayed behind. After a year at a state school, he won a scholarship to Culford School
Culford School
Culford School is a coeducational HMC and IAPS public school for pupils age 3–18. Founded in 1881, it is situated in Culford, four miles north of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, England.-History:...
, which he attended until 1946 before winning a further scholarship to read PPE at St Edmund Hall, Oxford
St Edmund Hall, Oxford
St Edmund Hall is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Better known within the University by its nickname, "Teddy Hall", the college has a claim to being "the oldest academical society for the education of undergraduates in any university"...
. Three years of National Service in the RAF intervened once the family moved back to London, and he took up his place at Oxford in 1949, graduating in 1952.
Upon leaving university, Miller began a career in the pharmaceuticals industry with Pfizer
Pfizer
Pfizer, Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation. The company is based in New York City, New York with its research headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, United States...
, rising to become Area Manager for Central Europe and Africa, before moving to US-based Bristol Laboratories in 1964 as Resident Overseas Manager for Europe (Bristol became Bristol-Myers Squibb, or BMS, in 1989). In 1985 he became Vice-Chairman of the company with worldwide responsibility for the pharmaceutical and nutritional businesses, including research. He retired in 1990.
With his second wife, Irene Diaman Miller, who had graduated from the Stern School of Business in 1954, Miller settled in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with three children from his first marriage and two from Irene’s. Together, they established the Miller Family Foundation, through which they have made sizeable bequests to institutions such as the Manhattan School of Music
Manhattan School of Music
The Manhattan School of Music is a major music conservatory located on the Upper West Side of New York City. The school offers degrees on the bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels in the areas of classical and jazz performance and composition...
and Bill Miller's former school and university.
Already Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2011 Birthday Honours
2011 Birthday Honours
The Birthday Honours 2011 for the Commonwealth Realms were announced on 7 June 2011 in New Zealand and 11 June 2011 in United Kingdom to celebrate the Queen's Birthday of 2011.-Privy Councillors:...
for services to UK/US relations in business and for philanthropy.
Directorships and interests
Miller’s portfolio of Board directorships since retiring from BMS is extensive, the following of which is a selection:- Isis Pharmaceuticals: Director, 1994–2000
- Vion Pharmaceuticals: Chairman, 1995–2009
- ImClone SystemsImClone SystemsImClone Systems Incorporated is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing biologic medicines in the area of oncology. It was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in New York City. On October 6, 2008, it accepted a $6.5 billion acquisition offer from Eli Lilly and Company, and became a...
: Director, 1996–2007 - Elusys Therapeutics: Chairman, 2000–2007; Director, 2007-
- Medasorb Technologies Corporation: Chairman, 2007–2009
In addition Bill Miller and the Miller Family Foundation have been involved as directors, benefactors or supporters of educational, artistic and charitable institutions, of which the following are a cross-section:
- English-Speaking Union of the United StatesEnglish-Speaking UnionThe English-Speaking Union is an international educational charity which was founded by the journalist Evelyn Wrench in 1918. The ESU aims to "bring together and empower people of different languages and cultures," by building skills and confidence in communication, such that individuals realize...
: Chairman, 1996–2009 - Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory: Vice Chairman, 1996–1998; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, 1998–2004
- Manhattan School of Music: Trustee and Board member, 1991- ; benefactor of the William R. & Irene D. Miller Recital Hall
- Metropolitan Opera Association: Director
- St Edmund Hall, OxfordSt Edmund Hall, OxfordSt Edmund Hall is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Better known within the University by its nickname, "Teddy Hall", the college has a claim to being "the oldest academical society for the education of undergraduates in any university"...
: Honorary Fellow; benefactor of the William R. Miller undergraduate accommodation building (2003), three Postgraduate Awards, and the William R. Miller Junior Research Fellowship in Molecular Biology - Culford SchoolCulford SchoolCulford School is a coeducational HMC and IAPS public school for pupils age 3–18. Founded in 1881, it is situated in Culford, four miles north of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, England.-History:...
: Benefactor of the William Miller Building for Chemistry and Physics (2002), the Bristol-Myers Building for Biology (1989), and the William Miller Scholarship for excellence in the sciences - St. George's Society: President; Advisory Committee Member
- St Paul’s Cathedral Trust in America: Chairman
William R. Miller was awarded the OBE in 2000 for services to British Charities in the US.