Oliver Lyle

Sir Oliver Lyle, OBE (1891–1961) was a British sugar technologist during the early 20th century.

Early life

Lyle was born in Weybridge, Surrey in 1891 (the year his grandfather, Abram Lyle died), to John Lyle, a sugar refiner and ship owner. He grew up in Surrey.

Military

During World War I, Lyle was an officer in the Highland Light Infantry.

Work at Tate & Lyle

Lyle started work at what had been Abram Lyle's sugar factory at Plaistow when he was 21 and did various manual jobs such as boiling sugar in the refinery pans; in 1921 sugar refiners: Henry Tate & Sons and Abram Lyle & Sons merged to form Tate & Lyle. Later he and his older brother, Philip, became joint refinery directors. Philip died in 1955. Oliver was now the sole male survivor of the third generation of sugar Lyles. Oliver Lyle was a meticulous record-keeper, as can be seen in his pocketbook, which he carried around with him for over 30 years.

Other activities

Lyle was an investor in Noel Macklin's Invicta Cars.

Family

Lyle married Lilian Spicer in Chertsey, Surrey in 1914. The couple had five children. Their eldest son, John, went on to work in the family business.

Honours

In 1919, Lyle was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. In the 1954 New Year Honours, he was knighted for services in promoting fuel efficiency.

Publications