John N Kirkland, the former chairman of contractor B+K (Bowmer & Kirkland) has died aged 83.
Kirkland joined the company his grandfather Robert William Kirkland co-founded in 1967 and took on the role of chairman in 1976.
He remained in the role for 43 years until his son Jack took up the post in 2019.
B+K said that in the past three years, Kirkland had continued to serve as a life president alongside his brother Robert, “guiding, supporting and offering his wealth of knowledge to the main board”.
The company said in a statement: “His contribution to B+K has been immense. He was very, very proud of the company and all of the people who work in it.”
In 1999, Kirkland received an OBE for services to Derbyshire, in particular for his former role as chairman of Derbyshire Ambulance Service.
He served as chair of both the Derbyshire Learning and Skills Council (LSC), from 2000-2008, and the LSC East Midlands Regional Council, from 2004-2008.
He was also the longest-serving director of Derby County Football Club, serving as president from 2006 until 2008 and invited to rejoin the board in 2017.
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John Kirkland was a genuine person who cared for his family the company Bowmer kirkland and Derby County football club and it was a privilege to class him as a friend and he was instrumental in persuading me to join the board in the early 1980s.i am deeply saddened to learn he has passed away RIP friend
Such sad news; a friend from Sheffield, God bless.