Brian Bell (businessman)

Sir Brian Bell
CSM, KBE, CStJ
Born (1928-07-03)3 July 1928
Chinchilla, Queensland, Australia
Died 26 July 2010(2010-07-26) (aged 82)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Cause of death Heart failure
Residence Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Other names Mister B
Citizenship Papua New Guinean
Education Diploma in Pharmacy
Alma mater Brisbane Central Technical College
Occupation Company director
Years active 1948–2010
Organization Brian Bell Group
Known for Businessman, philanthropist
Spouse(s) Jean Clough nee Ferguson
Website brianbell.com.pg

Sir Brian Ernest Bell CSM, KBE, CStJ (3 July 1928 – 26 July 2010) was an Australian-born businessman who established a business empire in Papua New Guinea.

Early life

Bell studied pharmacy at the Brisbane Central Technical College, now the Queensland University of Technology. He moved to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in 1954 as a pharmaceutical chemist in the Bulk Medical Store and soon after established PNG’s first electrical retail outlet.

Business career

Bell's business expanded rapidly and Brian Bell and Company was established in 1961. It included department stores, home centres, chemicals, cleaning products and industrial equipment. The Brian Bell Group of Companies is the largest business of its kind in PNG, generating revenue of 253 million kina annually and employing 1300 staff.

Philanthropy and honours

Bell supported the Port Moresby General Hospital (where he was Chairman of the Board), the Red Cross and the Port Moresby City Mission. He also served as deputy lord mayor of Port Moresby, a member of the PNG lands board, the Salvation Army advisory board and the PNG law and order committee. He was at one time chairman of UPNG Foundation, the NCD South Pacific Festival of Arts and the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal. Bell also served as patron of AIESEC PNG University. He set up a school outside Port Moresby, helped in offering scholarships and funded many needy and deserving young Papua New Guineans.

Bell was Honorary Consul General in Papua New Guinea for Norway and Sweden and was appointed a Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit and a Commander of the Order of the Polar Star (Sweden) for his service in those positions. He also received the PNG Community Service Medal, Queen’s Jubilee Medal, PNG Independence Medals and the Salvation Army’s Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service.

Bell was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for his contributions to business and charity in Papua New Guinea's 1993 New Year's Day Honours List.[1] He was appointed a Commander (Brother) of the Order of St John in 2004.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "No. 53531". The London Gazette (5th supplement). 1993-12-30. p. 45.
  2. ↑ "No. 57391". The London Gazette (5th supplement). 1994-08-24. p. 10694.
  • Fox, Liam (27 July 2010). "PNG mourns retail king 'Mr B'". abc.net.au. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  • Jackson, Keith. "Sir Brian Bell, nation builder, dies at 82". Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  • "Business entrepreneur dies". thechronicle.com.au. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  • "In Memoriam: Sir Brian Bell CSM, KBE, C.St J., Mister B of Papua New Guinea". oiiaustralia.com. 26 July 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
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