Sir Tom Farmer, the highly-respected former chairman and founder of Kwik Fit, has died peacefully at his Edinburgh home. His impact on Scottish football was huge and he will be sorely missed. He was 84 years old. Renowned for his contributions to the automotive industry and his philanthropic efforts, Farmer’s death marks the end of a remarkable life dedicated to business and community service.
Born in Leith in 1940, Sir Tom started out on the road to entrepreneurship when he opened up a tyre company in 1964. Over the years, he transformed this venture into Kwik Fit, a leading automotive services company that expanded across the UK and beyond. He devoted himself to being the best in the field, which brought him acclaim from every corner. His efforts resulted in 1997 in a knighthood for services to the automotive industry.
For 28 years, Sir Tom Farmer was the majority owner of Hibernian FC, one of Scotland’s top football (soccer) teams. In 2019, he sold his ownership interest in the club. He is a lifelong, fierce supporter of Hibernian and Scottish football in general. His ties to the team and its community demonstrated his strong dedication to local efforts.
Sir Tom’s contributions extended beyond business. In 2009, he was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO). This honor acknowledged his philanthropic achievements and highlighted his commitment to serving others. His faith was at the core of his being. He was a weekly mass-goer in Edinburgh, and he proactively cultivated friendships within the Catholic community, both at home and abroad.
First Minister John Swinney said he was “very sad” to hear of the death of Sir Tom Farmer. He described him as an “unparalleled entrepreneur and a munificent benefactor to innumerable causes in Scotland,” and offered his warm condolences to Sir Tom’s family. He highlighted Farmer’s outstanding career by saying, “While his business accomplishments are widely known, so too was his dedication to philanthropy and numerous public service roles, in which he provided steadfast loyalty and gratitude toward the communities and individuals surrounding him.”
Sir Tom Farmer has received many entrepreneurial awards during his career. For those inspiring contributions to society, he was awarded the Carnegie Medal, ensuring his legacy as a champion of community engagement. Perhaps his greatest honor came from the leader of his faith. He was promoted to the rank of Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great for his distinguished service.