Former Beaverbrooks chairman Andrew Brown dies at 77

Andrew Brown, who worked at Beaverbrooks for more than half a century and played an instrumental role in its growth and success before retiring in 2019, has died aged 77.

Andrew was related to the three Adlestone brothers who originally founded the jeweller on the Isle of Man in 1919, his father was their nephew. 

The business would change its name from Adlestone's to Beaverbrooks in 1935 and would later go on to call St Annes its home. Andrew Brown joined the family business in 1962, later becoming chairman.

He would be instrumental in the company's success for a number of decades, being credited with its move into the diamond business, and under his guidance Beaverbrooks would regularly feature in the Sunday Times list of best companies to work for.

He also launched the Beaverbrooks 10k Fun Run in Blackpool 40 years ago – an event that is still going strong today and has raised over £2.5m for local charities. He went on to receive an MBE for his services to charity.

Anna Blackburn, managing director at Beaverbrooks, said: "Andrew was a wonderful man, and an integral part of the business, spending 56 years with Beaverbrooks before retiring in 2019. He played a huge part in so many of our colleagues’ careers and was very much loved and respected by us all.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Andrew’s family at this incredibly sad time.”

Mark Adlestone, Beaverbrooks’ chairman, said: "The news of Andrew’s passing has brought great sorrow to all who knew him.

"He was a great man, who brought so much to the Beaverbrooks family over the years, with his extraordinary dedication and selflessness.

“I worked with Andrew for more than 40 years and together we enjoyed decades of fantastic, exciting development and growth. His pro-activity and hands-on approach to work is what made him so special – he was an amazing partner who supported me unreservedly.

“From Andrew I observed and learned about kindness, selflessness and humility – he was always putting others before himself and never sought the limelight. Andrew will be missed by so many, and our thoughts go out to his wife Marcia, daughters Sam, Katie and Gemma, and all his loved ones at this difficult time.”