Douglas Myers - Biography

Sir Arthur Douglas Myers, KNZM, CBE (born 1939) is a New Zealand businessman and one of the country's richest men (#35 on the Forbes New Zealand and Australian Rich list, 2006, with net worth estimated at $350 million).

Myers began his involvement with what would become Lion Nathan in 1965, being appointed CEO of Campbell & Ehrenfried, following in the footsteps of his father Sir Kenneth Myers and his grandfather Sir Arthur Myers. A series of mergers and cross shareholdings lead to the creation of Lion Breweries and then Lion Nathan. Myers played a leading role in Lion for over 15 years as MD, CEO, and ultimately as chairman in 1997. One year later, in 1998, Myers sold his 45% share holding to Kirin Brewery Company (creating the fourth largest brewing firm in the world) for $312 million.

He is now semi-retired, living in London, though he retains business and philanthropic interests, including a stake in Cameron O'Reilly's private-equity group Bayard Capital and regularly donating to the Myer Scolarship. Myers is a graduate of both Cambridge University and Harvard Business School.

He was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and the community in the New Year Honours announced on 31 December 2009.

• Lion Nathan history