John Swinney leads tributes after Kwik Fit founder Sir Tom Farmer dies aged 84
John Swinney has paid tribute to the 'profound impact' of Sir Tom Farmer after the Scottish businessman died at the age of 84.
Sir Tom, who founded the garage chain Kwik Fit and was also a former director of MyTravel Group and Scottish Power, died at his Edinburgh home on Friday.
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'.
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
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said he was a 'proud Scot' and a 'huge contributor' to Edinburgh's community football.
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.
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.'
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
Hibernian head coach David Gray also spoke of his sadness at Sir Tom's death, saying the businessman had 'saved the club at a time of need'.
Mr Gray recalled the moment he delivered the Scottish Cup to Sir Tom in 2016 after the club's 114-year wait for the trophy.
He said: 'My relationship with him personally, it wasn't as if I've seen him all the time, not at all, but I did have one real positive meeting and introduction with him, which was straight after the cup final.
'I saw him on the Sunday and it was a nice moment to be able to present the Scottish Cup to him for everything he's done as a Hibs supporter and everything he's been through.
'All the times he's probably seen Hibs not win the Scottish Cup and all the pain he went through with that as well, so that was a real privileged moment for myself to be involved with the club on that day.'
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.
'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.'
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