Ex-Fyffes chief passes away

NEIL McCANN, the former chief executive and chairman of fruit distribution giant Fyffes, has passed away aged 87.

In a statement yesterday, the company’s board paid tribute to its former leader, calling him the driving force behind the creation of Fyffes. They hailed his role in “building it into one of the leading fresh produce companies in the world”.

“He spearheaded its growth through more than five decades, expanding it into the major international group that it is today. He enjoyed huge respect in the industry and will be sorely missed by all who knew him for his extraordinary vision and leadership, his passion for the business and his generosity and fairness to all,” the statement read.

Mr McCann’s association with Fyffes spanned 55 years until his retirement from the board of directors in 2005 — two years after he stepped down as chairman.

Following the acquisition of Fyffes by FruitImporters of Ireland in the 1980s, Mr McCann developed the company into a global entity with a turnover of over €500 million.

On behalf of the company’s executives and staff (past and present) The Fyffes board passed on its “deepest sympathies” to Mr McCann’s wife, six children and extended family.