Sir Tom Farmer, founder of the Kwik Fit automotive chain, passed away peacefully at his Edinburgh home on Friday at the age of 84, his family announced.

The Edinburgh-born entrepreneur transformed Kwik Fit into the world’s largest independent tire and automotive service chain, culminating in its £1 billion sale to Ford in 1999.

Sir Tom’s influence extended beyond the business world. He held a majority stake in Hibernian FC for 28 years, selling his interest in 2019.

Born in Leith in 1940, he launched his first tire business in 1964, establishing Kwik Fit in 1971. The company eventually expanded to over 2,000 locations across 18 countries.

His contributions to the automotive industry earned him a knighthood in 1997. He was also appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 2009 for his extensive charitable work.

A family statement noted Sir Tom’s “long and extensive career touched many aspects of Scottish and UK life,” highlighting his business acumen, philanthropy, public roles, and unwavering community support.

His philanthropic endeavors garnered him the Carnegie Medal and the title of Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, awarded by the Pope in 1997.

The family emphasized his deep Roman Catholic faith, weekly church attendance, and strong connections within the Catholic community. “Sir Tom will be remembered for his commitment to family, work, and faith, and for being a proud Scotsman,” the statement concluded.

Hibernian FC shared a statement on X, expressing devastation at his passing and offering their gratitude.

First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray also issued statements expressing condolences and acknowledging Sir Tom’s significant contributions to Scotland and Edinburgh’s football community.

The family described Sir Tom as a devoted family man, married to Anne for 57 years until her death in 2023. They noted his frequent attribution of his business success to Anne, stating he often said he “married a girl like Anne.”

They are survived by their two children and four grandchildren. Sir Tom’s legacy extends beyond his business achievements, encompassing his contributions to Hibs, philanthropy, and mentorship of young entrepreneurs.

His impact on the automotive industry is undeniable. After early success, he honed his sales techniques in the USA, implementing innovative branding and marketing strategies upon his return to establish Kwik Fit.

Kwik Fit’s emphasis on customer service and staff training set it apart. His commitment to employee empowerment, reflecting his strong faith, aimed for customer delight, establishing trust through exceptional service.

This commitment to personal connection, now largely absent in online commerce, was a hallmark of Sir Tom’s success. His legacy is a testament to the enduring power of human interaction in business.

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Sir Tom Farmer, founder of the Kwik Fit automotive chain, passed away peacefully at his Edinburgh home on Friday at the age of 84, his family announced.

The Edinburgh-born entrepreneur built Kwik Fit into the world’s largest independent tire and automotive service chain, culminating in its sale to Ford for £1 billion in 1999.

Sir Tom held a majority stake in Hibernian FC for 28 years, divesting his interest in 2019.

Born in Leith in 1940, he established his first tire business in 1964, launching Kwik Fit in 1971. The company eventually expanded to over 2,000 locations across 18 countries.

His contributions to the automotive industry earned him a knighthood in 1997, and his charitable work led to his appointment as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 2009.

A family statement noted Sir Tom’s “long and extensive career” impacting Scottish and UK life, highlighting his business acumen, philanthropy, and dedication to community.

His philanthropic endeavors were recognized with the Carnegie Medal, and he received the Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great from the Pope in 1997.

The family emphasized his deep faith, noting his weekly church attendance and strong ties within the Catholic community. “Sir Tom will be remembered for his commitment to family, work, and faith, and for being a proud Scotsman,” the statement concluded.

Hibernian FC’s X post expressed devastation at his passing, offering simple thanks and condolences.

First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray both paid tribute, praising Sir Tom’s entrepreneurial spirit and generosity.

The family described Sir Tom as a devoted family man, married to Anne for 57 years until her death in 2023. They noted he often attributed his success to his wife, stating he “married a girl like Anne.”

They are survived by their two children and four grandchildren.

While widely known for his later roles with Hibs and philanthropy, Sir Tom’s business legacy remains significant. His early success in the US shaped his innovative approach to Kwik Fit, prioritizing customer service and employee training.

Kwik Fit’s distinctive branding and marketing, coupled with a commitment to employee training and exceptional customer service, established a new standard in the industry. The focus was on delighting customers, building trust, and emphasizing the human connection – a contrast to the often impersonal nature of today’s online commerce.

Sir Tom Farmer’s impact extended beyond Scotland, leaving a lasting mark on the automotive service industry and beyond.

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Firefighters responded to a blaze at the Ox184 bar in Edinburgh on Monday afternoon.

The Galactic Carnival closed early for a ride safety investigation.

Edinburgh secured a bonus-point victory over Connacht, boosting their chances of a top-eight finish in the United Rugby Championship.

Edinburgh council’s education department staff identified a suspicious meeting invitation as a spear-phishing attempt.

Sir Tom Farmer, founder of the Kwik Fit automotive chain, passed away peacefully at his Edinburgh home on Friday at the age of 84. His family confirmed the news.

A highly successful entrepreneur, Sir Tom built Kwik Fit into the world’s largest independent tire and automotive retailer, culminating in its sale to Ford for £1 billion in 1999.

Beyond his business acumen, Sir Tom held a significant stake in Hibernian FC for 28 years, eventually relinquishing his interest in 2019.

Born in Leith in 1940, he launched his first tire business in 1964, establishing Kwik Fit in 1971. The company expanded to over 2,000 locations across 18 countries.

His contributions to the automotive industry earned him a knighthood in 1997. He was also appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 2009 for his extensive charitable work.

A family statement described Sir Tom’s “long and extensive career” impacting various aspects of Scottish and UK life, highlighting his philanthropy and public service.

His philanthropic endeavors were recognized with the Carnegie Medal, and he received the Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great from the Pope in 1997. His family emphasized his deep Roman Catholic faith, integral to his life.

“Sir Tom will be remembered for his commitment to family, work, and faith, and for his pride in being a Scotsman,” the statement concluded.

Hibernian FC expressed their sorrow on X, stating: “Thank you for everything, Tom. Rest in peace.”

First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray offered their condolences, praising Sir Tom’s entrepreneurial spirit and community contributions.

The family described Sir Tom as a devoted family man, married to Anne for 57 years until her passing in 2023. They noted Sir Tom often attributed his success to his wife.

They are survived by their two children and four grandchildren.

While later known for his Hibs involvement and philanthropy, Sir Tom’s business legacy remains significant. After early success, he honed his sales techniques in the USA, implementing innovative strategies for Kwik Fit.

Kwik Fit’s success stemmed from a focus on customer service and staff training, emphasizing a “delighted customer” approach. This dedication to building trust and relationships, uncommon in the industry, became a hallmark of the brand.

His advertising reflected this, highlighting skilled staff and a commitment to service, setting a new standard in customer care that Sir Tom Farmer brought to Scotland and beyond.

This personalized approach, arguably diminished in today’s online marketplace, represents a key element of Sir Tom Farmer’s lasting impact.

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Firefighters were sent to the blaze at the Ox184 bar in Edinburgh on Monday afternoon.

The Galactic Carnival closed early so an investigation into ride safety could be carried out.

Edinburgh boost their hopes of a top-eight finish in the United Rugby Championship with a vital bonus-point victory over Connacht.