Paul Nicholson

Sir Paul Douglas Nicholson, (7 March 1938 – 17 January 2025) was an English industrialist and was Lord Lieutenant of County Durham from 1997 to 2013.

Early life and education Nicholson was born in County Durham, England, to (Frank) Douglas Nicholson and Pauline Nicholson ( Lawson-Tancred). He was educated at Ludgrove School, Harrow School and Clare College, Cambridge. He was promoted to lieutenant on 29 December 1958. He transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps, Territorial Army, on 23 November 1961 with the rank of lieutenant.

Career After qualifying as a chartered accountant, he joined Vaux Breweries in 1965 and, from 1976 until 1999, he was Chairman of the Vaux Group, one of the most successful companies in the North East of England.

He was Chairman of the Tyne and Wear Development Corporation throughout its existence (1987-1998) and also served as Chairman of the Northern Region of CBI (1977–1979), Chairman of the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association, formerly the Brewers Society (1994–1996), and in 1995 he became the inaugural President of the Northeast Chamber of Commerce. He was Knighted in 1993 for 'Services to Industry and the Public in Northeast England'. He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 2011.

In his youth he was a prominent amateur rider twice winning the Liverpool Foxhunters steeplechase in 1963 and 1965. Later he was President of the Coaching Club (1990–1997).

In 1980 he was appointed High Sheriff of Durham and Lord Lieutenant in 1997. He published an autobiography entitled ‘Brewer at Bay’, published by The Memoir Club.

Personal life and death Nicholson was married to Sarah Bacon, daughter of Sir Edmund Bacon, 13th and 14th Baronet, the premier baronet in the United Kingdom. They have one daughter, Lucy (b. 1972).

Already a Knight Bachelor, Nicholson was appointed Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in the 2011 Birthday Honours.

Nicholson died on 17 January 2025, at the age of 86.

Honours and awards

199340px Order of St. John (K.stJ) Knight of Justice40px Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 195340px Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal 2002