Celebrating Hamish Muirhead, whose vision, humour, and dedication shaped Ben Line and touched us all

Remembering Hamish 'JFM' Muirhead

 

It is with great sadness that we advise on the recent passing of Hamish Muirhead. 

 

Hamish was a Ben Line person through and through - starting as a management trainee in 1951, first posted to Singapore in 1955 and then to Hong Kong in 1962, he flew the Ben Line flag in Asia for many years, canvassing cargo for the Ben Line ships from all corners of the region. 

 

Hamish rose to be Joint Managing Director of Ben Line Steamers, as well as a Director of Ben Line Containers. In more recent years (i.e. from the early 2000's) Hamish was a key driver behind our push into our Marine Agency business and, together with David Keith-Welsh, coordinated our marketing consultants' network in Europe and the US.

 

Hamish was a true gentleman, full of passion for our business and the shipping industry. He was always great company, he was always looking for ways to support the Ben Line, and he always had a good story to tell. Hamish featured heavily in our recent 200-year anniversary book - The Phoenix of the Seas - including a chapter on how he got the name 'Hamish'. He was also known internally by his initial - JFM. 

 

 

Our Group General Manager - Marine Agency Services, Mr Edward Barry, worked closely with Hamish over many years and penned the below note on his legacy and some personal memories:

 

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Recently, we sadly lost Hamish Muirhead - a truly remarkable colleague and leader whose impact on Ben Line and the wider industry cannot be overstated. 

 

Hamish was instrumental in guiding Ben Line through one of its greatest transformations: from ship ownership into the world of agency. As the company celebrates its 200th anniversary, this achievement would not have been possible without individuals like Hamish, whose vision and determination shaped our future. 

 

|I first met Hamish in 2003 during my interview, and I was immediately struck by his warmth, professionalism, and drive. Over the years, I had the privilege of joining him at sales meetings in London, where his passion for growth was unmistakable - always challenging us to push boundaries and explore new opportunities. 

 

Hamish's career in Asia began in Singapore in 1955, later taking him to Hong Kong, where he cemented Ben Line's position in a fiercely competitive market. When the company shifted direction in the early 1990s, Hamish built the agency business from its roots into what is today a thriving liner and marine agency business across Asia. 

 

On personal note, Hamish never lost his sense of humour or storytelling. I'll always remember his call congratulating me on the birth of my son - followed by a story about booking shipments of afterbirth from the same hospital decades earlier!

 

Hamish's integrity, commitment, and spirit will continue to inspire us. Rest in peace, Hamish. You will always be part of our story. 

 

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On photo: Hamish Muirhead standing in the middle.

 

 

We were lucky enough to have had Hamish attend our 200-year event in Edinburgh last June*, where he was able to catch up with so many past colleagues and friends, to celebrate a great company milestone, which he played such a massive part of. 

 

Ben Line will continue to remember Hamish fondly and his legacy will live on in our company values.