BENGALURU: John Mccallum Marshall Shaw, the husband of Biocon's executive chairperson Ms Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw passed away on Monday morning in a private hospital, family sources said. He was 73.
He was ailing for some time and had been admitted to hospital last week. He was cremated at the Wilson Garden crematorium at 3 pm on Monday. The exact reason behind the death was not known.
A Scotsman and an Indophile, he was the chairman and managing director of textiles MNC Madura Coats before joining Bengaluru-headquartered Biocon Ltd in 1999.
Born in 1949, he was a foreign promoter and on the advisory board of various Biocon group companies.
He served as the vice-chairman and non-executive director of Biocon for over 22 years before retiring in July 2021.
"With profound grief, we inform you of the passing away of John Shaw, husband of Kiran Shaw & former Vice Chairman of Biocon Ltd today morning on Oct 24, 2022," Kiran Shaw's office said in a statement.
He played a major role in the transformation of Biocon from a small enzymes company into a globally recognized bio-pharmaceutical major. He ensured the highest levels of corporate governance and oversaw financial and strategic development of the group.
He was on the advisory board of various Biocon Group companies. He was also a controlling shareholder and director of Glentec International.
He had 27 years of experience with Coats Viyella plc. in various capacities including finance and general administration in locations around the world before joining the board of Biocon Ltd in 1999.
He held a master’s degree in (hons) economics, history and political economy from the University of Glasgow, UK. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Glasgow.
He graduated with an MA in (Economic Hons.) in History and Political Economy from UK's Glasgow University in 1970. He also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Glasgow. He did his schooling at Glasgow High School.
Mourning his death, former Infosys director T V Mohandas Pai tweeted, "John Shaw, husband of Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, passes away. An extraordinary person, a thorough gentleman, warm, compassionate, always positive, always helpful, loved India, helped build India! We will miss you, John! Om Shanthi."
(With inputs from online desk)