James Sherwood

James Blair Sherwood (August 8, 1933 – May 18, 2020) was an American-born, British-based businessman, and the founder of Sea Containers.

This article is about the American businessman. For the English comedian, see James Sherwood (comedian). For the American rock musician, see Jim Sherwood.
James Sherwood
Born
James Blair Sherwood

August 8, 1933
Newcastle, Pennsylvania, US
DiedMay 18, 2020(2020-05-18) (aged 86)
London, England
NationalityAmerican
EducationYale University
Known forFounder, Sea Containers
Net worth£60 million (2004)
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 1977)​
Children2 sons (adopted)

Early life

James Blair Sherwood was born in Newcastle, Pennsylvania,[1] the son of William Sherwood, a patent attorney, and Florence.[2] He grew up in Lexington, Kentucky and earned a degree in economics from Yale University.[3] Sherwood learned about shipping first in the United States Navy, spending three years as a cargo officer, and then working for United States Lines and CTI for six years.

Business career

In 1965, Sherwood founded Bermuda-based, New York Stock Exchange listed, London-headquartered shipping company Sea Containers with initial capital of $100,000.[4] Over forty years Sherwood expanded Sea Containers from a supplier of leased cargo containers, into various shipping companies, as well as expanding the company into luxury hotels and railway trains, including the Venice-Simplon Orient Express[5] and Great North Eastern Railway that operated the InterCity East Coast franchise.[6]

Although valued with a net worth of £60million in the 2004 Sunday Times Rich List,[7] as Sea Containers hit financial troubles, he resigned as Co-Chief Executive Officer from each of his companies in 2006.[8] He continued as a Director of Orient Express Hotels Ltd until retiring on 9 June 2011. He was later designated as Founder and Chairman Emeritus.[9]

Personal life

In 1977, Sherwood married the writer and botanist Shirley Cross.[10][2] Her sons, Simon and Charles, from her previous marriage adopted his surname.[2]

He died on May 18, 2020 of complications after abdominal surgery, aged 86.[1][11]

References
  1. Green, Penelope (July 3, 2020). "James Sherwood, Who Revived the Orient Express, Dies at 86". The New York Times. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  2. Adeney, Martin (11 June 2020). "James Sherwood obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  3. Latest Ferry News - November 2005 Archived October 10, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Sea Containers Ltd. - Company History Funding Universe
  5. Grice, Elizabeth (27 April 2012). "James Sherwood interview: the man who relaunched the Orient-Express". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  6. Sea Containers wins East Coast Main Line franchise Rail issue 276 10 April 1996 page 7
  7. Sunday Times Rich List 2004 - James Sherwood Times Online
  8. Sherwood to hand over helm at Sea Containers Daily Telegraph 8 December 2002
  9. Ltd, Orient Express Hotels. "Chairman James Hurlock and Founder James Sherwood to Retire From Orient-Express Board Of Directors". www.prnewswire.com.
  10. "Dr Shirley Sherwood to Guest Curate Botanical ArtExhibition". Orient Express. 18 January 2005. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  11. Obituaries, Telegraph (2020-05-20). "James Sherwood, founder of Sea Containers who put his heart into reviving the Orient Express – obituary". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
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