Obituary: Sir Alan Hellaby

Sir Alan Hellaby, third-generation heir to the Hellaby meat empire, died on Saturday, aged 74.

Sir Alan, who was knighted in 1981 for services to industry, was the grandson of Richard Hellaby, one of the founders of R and W Hellaby.

Established in 1873 in Auckland, the business went on to become one of New Zealand's largest private companies.

Sir Alan succeeded his father, Fred, as general manager in 1955 and in 1963 was appointed managing director.

During his career in the meat industry Sir Alan and his company established new outlets for meat exports in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Sir Alan took his place with the family company in his early 20s, leaving his law studies at Auckland University when his father became ill.

He worked initially as a clerk and later learned the practicalities of the business by doing labouring jobs in every section of the butchery works.

It was never assumed he would take over leadership of the company, and he did so in 1958 at the urging of senior staff after his father's health declined.

He retired in 1987 after 27 years on the board of R and W Hellaby.

A former president of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, Sir Alan held dozens of board memberships on some of the country's largest companies.

Sir Alan died peacefully at home of bowel cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, and children James, Frederick, Thomas and Charlotte.