Sir Tom Farmer, the Scottish entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Kwik Fit garage chain, has died at the age of 84. His family confirmed he passed away peacefully at his home in Edinburgh on Friday.
Born in Leith in 1940, Sir Tom began his journey in business by opening a tyre shop in 1964. Seven years later, in 1971, he established Kwik Fit, which he would grow into the world’s largest independent tyre and automotive repair chain. At its peak, the company operated in more than 2,000 locations across 18 countries. In 1999, Sir Tom sold the business to Ford for £1 billion.
Beyond his business achievements, Sir Tom was a well-known figure in Scottish football. He owned a majority stake in Hibernian FC for nearly three decades, helping to stabilise the club during challenging financial times. He sold his interest in the team in 2019 but remained a beloved figure among supporters.
In a statement posted on social media, Hibernian FC said: “Hibernian FC are devastated to hear of the passing of former owner Sir Tom Farmer, aged 84. Thank you for everything, Tom. Rest in peace.”
Sir Tom’s influence extended far beyond business and sport. A committed philanthropist, he was widely recognised for his charitable work and dedication to public service. He was knighted in 1997 for his services to the automotive industry and awarded a CVO (Commander of the Royal Victorian Order) in 2009 for his contributions to charitable causes.
He also received the prestigious Carnegie Medal for philanthropy and was named a Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by the Pope in 1997, reflecting his deep-rooted Roman Catholic faith.
In a tribute, his family said: “Sir Tom’s long and extensive career touched many aspects of Scottish and UK life. His business career is well documented, as was his commitment to philanthropy, his many public roles and his unwavering support and appreciation for the communities and people that he lived his life within.”
They added: “Sir Tom will be remembered by many for his deep commitment to his family, his work and his faith and for being at all times a proud Scotsman.”
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney paid tribute to Sir Tom, calling him “an outstanding entrepreneur and such a generous individual to so many causes in Scotland,” adding, “My respectful condolences to his family.”
