26 Feb 2008


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Tribute to Highland Spring Chief Executive


Highland Spring

Source : Highland Spring
Highland Spring regret to announce that Chief Executive Joe Beeston OBE has died following a brave battle with lung cancer. He was aged 61.

Joe Beeston OBE

Mr Beeston passed away peacefully on Monday 25 February surrounded by his family in hospital. He leaves wife Lynnette and his grown-up children, Richard and Joanne, by his first wife Maggie.

Mr Beeston was highly respected as an innovator in the drinks industry, and was at the heart of Highland Spring’s success during the last 16 years.

He was honoured to receive an OBE in recognition of his services to the soft drinks industry in Scotland in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2005.

With typical modesty he paid tribute to his 300-strong “great team” at Blackford who helped his “vision become a reality”.

Since joining the Perthshire based company in 1992, Mr Beeston was instrumental in building Highland Spring from a little known brand into the UK’s leading bottled water producer and internationally recognised Scottish brand.

Les Montgomery, Acting Chief Executive, who worked closely with Mr Beeston for the last 16 years said: “He was a much-loved boss who was passionate about Highland Spring and totally committed to the wellbeing of the staff in Blackford.

“He will be remembered as an outstanding yet modest leader who successfully developed Highland Spring into the most popular UK produced brand of bottled water.

“Joe was a great character and he will be sorely missed by everyone here at Blackford as well as his colleagues and friends across the industry. Our heartfelt sympathies go to Lynnette, Rich, Jo, and the rest of his very close family.”

A private family funeral will be held near Joe’s home in Lyme Regis on 7 March, followed by a cremation service in Exeter and a memorial service is also being planned in Scotland at a later date. Details will be announced when available.

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