Alec Reed

Sir Alec Edward Reed, CBE, FCMA, FCIPD (16 February 1934 – 2 December 2025) was the founder of Reed Executive Ltd, one of the UK's largest private businesses. Knighted for services to business and charity in 2011, Reed was a high-profile charity donor and organiser. His various charitable initiatives have given away over £159m, mostly in support of women, addiction, overseas development, education and the arts.

Quotes

• Once you’re head of a public company you are expected to perform; you’re like an unpaid greyhound on a racetrack called the stock market. They’d take bets on us, but not add anything at all.
  • The Business Times Online, 2012.