Sir Andrew Agnew | |
|---|---|
 Agnew in 1938 | |
| Born | 28 February 1882 Greenock, Scotland |
| Died | 4 March 1955 (aged 73) New Galloway, Scotland |
| Occupation | Senior oil company executive |
| Children | 2 |
Sir Andrew Agnew (28 February 1882 – 4 March 1955) was a Scottish oil company executive. He was managing director ofShell Transport and Trading Company part of theRoyal Dutch Shell Group where he worked for over fifty years.
Agnew was born on 28 February 1882 inGreenock, Scotland, the son of Andrew Agnew. He was educated atGreenock Academy.[1]
Agnew began his career in the Far East in 1902 when he went toSingapore and joined the firm of Syme and Company, agents of Shell, as junior assistant. In 1908, he joinedAsiatic Petroleum Company and rose to general manager forMalaya. During theFirst World War, he served as commandant of the Singapore Civil Guard. He was chairman of the River Craft Committee which located and sent supplies and Chinese labour toMesopotamia. He was a member of theLegislative Council of the Straits Settlements, member of theSingapore Harbour Board and the Committee of Singapore Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Shipping Control Committee and the Food Control Committee. In 1922, after returning to London, he became director of Asiatic Petroleum Company andAnglo-Saxon Petroleum Company. He was managing director of Shell Transport and Trading Company and played a key role in the management of the affairs of Royal Dutch Shell Group of which the company was a founder member withRoyal Dutch Petroleum Company.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Agnew resigned as managing director of Shell Group in 1938 but remained as director of Shell Transport and Trading Company. In 1939, he was appointed war-time chairman of thePetroleum Board and was responsible for the underwater pipeline across theEnglish Channel which supplied fuel to the Allied forces during the invasion of Europe.[1][3] On the board of more than seventy oil companies, it was said that "to him is usually left the negotiations of European oil concessions with those of America."[7] He received several foreign honours. After spending over fifty years with Shell he retired in 1954.[1][5][8]
Agnew married Bella McClymont in 1912 and they had two sons.[1]
Agnew died on 4 March 1955 inNew Galloway, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.[5]
Agnew was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the1918 New Year Honours. He was created aKnight Bachelor in the1938 Birthday Honours.[9] In 1939, he was createdCommander of the Order of Orange-Nassau and, in the same year, theLegion of Honour.[10] In 1946, he was awarded the United StatesMedal of Freedom with Silver Palm in recognition of war-time services.[5]
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