John Swinney leads tributes after Sir Tom Farmer dies aged 84
He owned a majority stake in Hibernian Football Club for 28 years, selling his interest in 2019 to US businessman Ron Gordon.
The First Minister hailed him as a 'generous individual to so many causes in Scotland'.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said he was a 'proud Scot' and a 'huge contributor' to Edinburgh's community football.
Hibernian FC are devastated to hear of the passing of former owner Sir Tom Farmer, aged 84.
Thank you for everything, Tom. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/W5hVRDNWSK — Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) May 10, 2025
His family said in a statement on Saturday that Sir Tom's life and career 'touched many aspects of Scottish and UK life', and his philanthropy would be remembered.
They added: 'More than anything Sir Tom was a family man. Born in Leith, Edinburgh, in 1940 he was the youngest of seven children.
'He frequently spoke of the love, care and attention that was bestowed upon him by being the youngest in such a large family.'
Sir Tom started Kwik Fit in 1971 and grew it to become an international chain before selling it to Ford for £1 billion in 1999.
He was knighted in 1997 for his services to the automotive industry and made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 2009 for his charitable work, including as chairman of the board of trustees for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
READ MORE:
Kwik-Fit founder Sir Tom Farmer dies aged 84
Reason Hibs players are wearing black armbands vs Celtic
He was the first Scot to be awarded the prestigious Andrew Carnegie Medal for philanthropy, and was made a Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St Gregory the Great by the Catholic Church.
The First Minister released a statement on Saturday afternoon, saying: 'I am very sorry to hear of the death of Sir Tom Farmer, an outstanding entrepreneur and such a generous individual to so many causes in Scotland.
'He was a source of wise counsel who gave so much of himself to assist others.
'Sir Tom made a profound impact on his beloved Leith, on Scotland and the wider world. I express my condolences to his family.'
A post on Kwik Fit's X page said everyone at the company 'is very saddened', adding: 'Sir Tom will always be a towering figure in our industry. His entrepreneurship revolutionised the UK automotive aftermarket sector and built the foundations on which we stand today.
Everyone at Kwik Fit is very saddened at the passing of the company's founder Sir Tom Farmer. Sir Tom will always be a towering figure in our industry. His entrepreneurship revolutionised the UK automotive aftermarket sector and built the foundations on which we stand today. pic.twitter.com/JyEpj359mK — Kwik-Fit (@Kwik_Fit) May 10, 2025
'Although Sir Tom's direct connection with the company ended more than two decades ago, his professional and personal qualities have remained a positive influence on many members of the Kwik Fit team to this day.'
The businessman had three brothers and three sisters, many nieces and nephews, and the family said he was 'proud to be an uncle to them and their families'.
He married Anne in 1966 after they met at their local church, and the devout Catholics were together for 57 years until her death in 2023.
Their family said Sir Tom often credited Anne for his business success: 'In later years when asked about the secret to his success, he would often say it was because he 'married a girl like Anne.'
'They lived their whole married life in Edinburgh and are survived by their two children and four grandchildren.
'Sir Tom's Roman Catholic faith was present throughout all areas of his life. He attended mass weekly in Edinburgh and enjoyed the friendship and company of many people with the Catholic community both here in Scotland and further afield.
'Sir Tom will be remembered by many for his deep commitment to his family, his work and his faith and for being at all times a proud Scotsman.'
Hibs paid tribute in a post on X, saying: 'Hibernian FC are devastated to hear of the passing of former owner Sir Tom Farmer, aged 84.
'Thank you for everything, Tom. Rest in peace.'
The family has asked for privacy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
St Andrews golf worth £317m annually to the Scottish economy
Researchers calculated the amount visitors spent directly on golf in St Andrews as well as on hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and local travel providers. Read more: St Andrews Links - whose other courses include the New, Jubilee, Castle, Eden, Balgove and Strathtyrum courses - welcomes an average of 2,000 playing visitors every week. Around 72% of those visitors come from overseas, with the USA (40%) and Canada (6%) being the key markets. A further 28% of visits were from the UK, with the remaining 26% coming from elsewhere. Across visitors from all locations, 84% said they were 'likely or very likely' to return in the future. 'This is the first such study looking solely at the impact of golf in St Andrews on the town and the wider Scottish economy," said Neil Coulson, chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust. 'It clearly shows the massive impact on the town and that our visitors are delivering a boost to communities across Scotland each and every year. This impact has probably been undervalued in the past. Neil Coulson, chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust (Image: Gavin Craigie) 'The unique place that St Andrews holds as the lifeblood and source of the sport means that both golfers and non-golfers want to come here and experience this place for themselves. But this only works if we continue to invest in our facilities and in ensuring we strive for excellence in customer experience.' St Andrews Links Trust is a charity with all of its revenue reinvested into the sport, facilities and in community initiatives across the region. For every £1 that passes through the tills of St Andrews Links from visitors, an additional £3.43 is generated for other businesses in the town. "Scotland has a proud reputation as the birthplace of the game and St Andrews is home to many links courses, not least the Old Course, which are the envy of the world," Scottish Business Minister Richard Lochhead said. "This report hits home the scale of the benefits we all reap from the trust's courses, alongside the broader impact of golf tourism, which boosts the economy by £300 million every year and supports around 5,000 jobs. Read more: "I commend the Trust for all it does to sustain and grow the game and I'm looking forward to the return of The Open to St Andrews in 2027, which, backed by Scottish Government funding, will further increase our standing as a first-class host of major events." Of the 283,000 rounds played on the seven St Andrews Links courses in 2023, 152,000 (54%) were played by visitors to St Andrews. More than half of visitors combined their St Andrews Links trip with a visit to another iconic layout in Scotland, the most popular being Kingsbarns (29%), Carnoustie (25%), Dumbarnie (15%) and Crail (14%). Vicki Miller, chief executive of VisitScotland, added: 'This comprehensive study showcases the important role golf plays in Scotland's visitor economy, with St Andrews standing at the heart of this as a globally recognised asset. Read more: 'Scotland continues to be the destination of choice for golfers worldwide, and beyond the course, our renowned hospitality, culture, and heritage offer a truly distinctive and enriching experience for all who visit. We welcome this research, which reinforces Scotland's reputation as a world-leading tourism and events destination.' Professor Simon Shibli, from Sheffield Hallam University, said: 'Economic impact studies tend to look at the effects of one-off major sport events. For St Andrews Links Trust we have had the opportunity to investigate the economic impact of a permanent year-round golf business. "Using gold standard methods to interview over 2,400 golfers, our research reveals a significant asset to the Scottish economy, which has arguably not been fully appreciated. St Andrews Links Trust is not only a thriving business in its own right, it is also a catalyst for considerable tourism and employment benefits.'
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘He battered me' – Ex-Everton hardman Duncan Ferguson reveals current England star beat him up in training fight
Former manager wanted the player to quit a big hobby ONE TO FERG-ET 'He battered me' – Ex-Everton hardman Duncan Ferguson reveals current England star beat him up in training fight DUNCAN FERGUSON has revealed he was "battered" in a training fight by a current England player. The former striker built a hardman image during his career and it is a reputation he is still known for. Advertisement 3 Duncan Ferguson challenged one of his players to a boxing fight Credit: Reuters 3 Anthony Gordon got the better of the ex-Everton boss Credit: Getty 3 Ferguson handed Gordon his Everton debut while in interim charge Credit: Getty Ferguson has previously fought off intruders in his own home and picked up nine red cards, often for thuggery, but one England star got the better of him. The Scot fought Anthony Gordon in a boxing match while the pair were at Everton. Ferguson was a big admirer of the youngster and handed Gordon his Everton debut while interim manager, but he wanted to teach the winger a lesson to persuade him to quit sparring - one of his big hobbies. But after donning the gloves to take on Gordon, Ferguson was taught a lesson of his own - not to challenge the quick and nimble winger. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL MIC DROP Michael Carrick lands new job after Middlesbrough axe as John O'Shea joins him Ferguson revealed the incident in his book, Big Dunc: The Upfront Autobiography. He said: "I made sure Gordon got his debut at Limassol, I then gave Anthony his second game against Leicester,' Ferguson wrote. "I loved his appetite to improve, he wanted to learn and practice, practice, practice. "He was as fit as a fiddle and took diet seriously but was still going to different boxing gyms and sparring. 'You have to stop,' I told Anthony, "You can't go to them, you'll get hurt". Advertisement BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS "He battered me once in the Finch Farm gym. I had a pair of boxing gloves on, he didn't. And I didn't do it again. "Anthony's a bright lad, knows what he wants and is dedicated and lightning quick."
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
Stuart Findlay set for Hearts transfer with Oxford talks progressing as part of planned double swoop
McInnes made Findlay a top transfer priority soon after making the move from Kilmarnock and a deal is likely to be done Stuart Findlay is set to join Hearts as talks with Oxford United progress over the defender. Record Sport revealed that new boss Derek McInnes wanted Findlay to join him at Tynecastle as a matter of priority after making the move from Kilmarnock. Scotland international Findlay has spent the last two season on loan at Rugby Park from Oxford, where he still has another year left on his contract. However, Hearts have entered negotiations with the Championship club over a deal for Findlay and he is expected to be confirmed as a Hearts player before the start of pre-season training next week. McInnes has previously hailed Findlay's impact for Killie, not just with his own performances, but on those around him. He said: "There's no doubt having Stuart Findlay back has been massive for us. He doesn't always catch the eye, and he's not exactly dribbling out and making chances and all the rest of it, but he's such a calming influence. 'That ability for a centre-half to make people round about them better is a dying art, because so many boys now just want to play their own game and look after themselves, but he does it in such a quiet effective way.' The Jambos are also progressing a deal for Portuguese striker Claudio Bravo. Around £400,000 is expected to be enough to tempt Norwegian second-tier side Aalesund FK into selling the 25-year-old, who still has 18 months left on his contract. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
