Alastair Morton

Who was Alastair Morton?

Sir Alastair Morton was Chief Executive of Eurotunnel and Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority and an industrialist of considerable achievements and renown.

Morton was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and he read law at Worcester College, Oxford.

He was managing director of the British National Oil Corporation 1976–80; chief executive of Guinness Peat Group 1982–87 and chairman in 1987; co-chairman of Eurotunnel 1987–96 and group chief executive 1990–94; chairman of the British Treasury's private finance panel 1993–95 and chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority 1999–2001.

In 1990, he was awarded an Honorary Degree from the University of Bath.

He was also chairman of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain 1994–2004.

Morton was knighted in 1992. He died on 1 September 2004 aged 66. His memorial service at Southwark Cathedral was attended by hundreds of people who knew and respected him.