George Kynoch

George Kynoch (22 August 1834 – 28 February 1891) was the founder of IMI plc, one of the United Kingdom's largest engineering businesses.

Biography George Kynoch was born at Peterhead in Aberdeenshire and educated at the local school. He first worked as an insurance clerk in Glasgow and then as a bank clerk in Worcester.

After working for a while at larger bank branch in Birmingham, in 1856 he decided to join Pursall & Phillips, percussion cap manufacturers, in Birmingham. As a result, the firm moved to on four acres of land at Witton in 1862.

In 1886, he became Member of Parliament for Aston Manor and in 1887 he was appointed president of Aston Villa Football Club. These roles distracted him from his business and in 1888 he was forced to resign.

Personal life In 1863, he married Helen Birley. They later separated.

Death He emigrated to South Africa and died in Johannesburg in 1891, aged 56.