Ex-Lord Lieutenant of County Durham Sir Paul Nicholson dies
A businessman and industrialist, the Cambridge-educated qualified chartered accountant was best known as chairman of the Sunderland brewery, the Vaux Group, from 1976 only resigning after the board voted for its closure in 1999, having first joined the company in 1965.
But he played a prominent role in the wider business community in the North East, chairing the Tyne and Wear Development Corporation throughout its 11-year existence until 1998, having also served as chairman of the Northern Region of the CBI, from 1977 to 79.
He also chaired the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association and was inaugural President of the North East Chamber of Commerce in 1995.
(Image: The Northern Echo) Knighted in 1993 for, “services to industry and the public in North East England”, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO), in 2011.
Having served as High Sheriff of County Durham in 1980, he was appointed Lord Lieutenant, the then Queen’s representative in the county, in 1987, succeeding David Grant.
He held the post until his 75th birthday in 2013, when current Lord Lieutenant, Sue Snowdon, succeeded him.
(Image: The Memoir Club) Speaking to The Northern Echo on the eve of his retirement from the role, in late February 2013, he described being a Lord Lieutenant as, “more than just a title”.
Sir Paul went on: “You have to be a diplomat in this role.
“A lot of my time has been spent easing frictions between various parties for the good of County Durham.”
He reflected on his efforts to save Auckland Castle during the period of his lieutenancy, preparing a report in 2005 which helped to persuade the Church Commissioners that it could be preserved as a viable enterprise.
Five years later he played a part in negotiations which led to current owner, the philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer, buying the castle and its famous collections of Zurburan paintings.
During his years as Lord Lieutenant he also greeted and escorted many members of the Royal family on visits to County Durham, including the late Queen, latterly in July 2012, and he helped to organise a Durham Cathedral memorial service to Princess Diana, following her death, in 1997.
(Image: PA Media) He also handed awards to those County Durham people named in the New Year and Queen’s Birthday Honours, who were unable or who chose not to attend the Buckingham Palace investiture.
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County Durham-born, he lived at a 10th Century home in Brancepeth Village, and was married to Lady Sarah Nicholson, nee Bacon, with whom he had a daughter, Lucy, born in 1972.
During his younger days he was commissioned for National Service to the Coldstream Guards.
He also had a brief successful stint as a National Hunt jockey, twice winning the Liverpool Foxhunters Chase, in 1963 and 65, and completing the Grand National, in 1964.