Sir Ronald Claus Hampel CBE, former Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman, and later Chairman, of Imperial Chemical Industries, died on Thursday 26 February 2026 aged 93.
For those of us in the chemical industry, Ronnie was more than a senior figure of his generation; he was one of the leaders who helped shape it. He combined strategic clarity with deep operational understanding and led with a calm authority that earned respect in boardrooms, laboratories and plants alike.
Educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, he joined ICI in 1955 and built his career in the disciplined, meritocratic tradition for which the company was known. He held senior leadership roles including Chief Executive of ICI Agrochemicals and ICI Paints, gaining first-hand experience of both global markets and the practical realities of manufacturing. By October 1991 he had become Chief Operating Officer, and in 1993, following the demerger of the bioscience businesses, he was appointed Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman of the refocused group.
The early 1990s were a defining period for ICI and for the wider sector. During the 1991 hostile takeover attempt by Hanson Plc, Ronnie was a key strategist and operator in the company’s defence team. On 29 July 1992 the Board resolved to demerge ICI’s bioscience businesses, a decision that culminated in the creation of Zeneca in June 1993. It was a bold and controversial move at the time — separating life sciences from traditional chemicals in pursuit of sharper strategic focus and capital discipline. With hindsight, it was one of the most significant portfolio decisions taken in British industry during that decade.
In April 1995 Ronnie became Chairman of ICI. His tenure was marked by a willingness to modernise without losing institutional strength. In 1997 he oversaw the acquisition of Unilever’s Specialty Chemicals business, further reshaping ICI into a more focused international specialty chemicals company. These were not incremental adjustments; they were decisions that significantly changed the trajectory of a historic British enterprise.
Ronnie’s contribution extended beyond ICI. In 1995 he was appointed to chair the committee on corporate governance whose final report, published in 1998 and widely known as the Hampel Report, became foundational to the UK’s Combined Code. At a time when confidence in corporate Britain required strengthening, he helped articulate principles of board accountability, stewardship and long-term value that continue to influence governance practice today. He understood instinctively that governance was not about box-ticking but about trust, clarity of responsibility and sustainable success.
Those who worked with Ronnie remember a leader who was measured rather than theatrical. In meetings he would often sit with his arms firmly folded across his chest, listening intently. It was not a gesture of distance but of concentration. He prepared meticulously, absorbed the arguments and then, when he spoke, did so with economy and precision. He did not seek to dominate discussion; he sought to bring it to conclusion.
Outside industry, Ronnie was a devoted family man and a passionate sportsman. He was closely associated with The All-England Lawn Tennis Club and a regular presence at The Championships, Wimbledon. He also enjoyed golf and skiing, particularly when shared with his family. His professional life was distinguished; his personal life was deeply anchored in family, friendship and sport.
For the Society of Chemical Industry and for our wider community, Ronnie’s career is a reminder that leadership in our sector demands both courage and judgement. The chemical industry has always been about more than molecules and margins; it is about stewardship — of companies, of people and of long-term national capability. He will be remembered at a celebration of 100 years since the founding of ICI, hosted by SCI® in December this year.
On a personal note, I was always conscious of our shared Czech roots — a quiet thread of heritage that carried with it resilience, discipline and an outward-looking perspective. Ronnie embodied those qualities. He brought steadiness in times of change and seriousness of purpose without ever losing his humanity.
Sir Ronnie Hampel leaves a legacy not only in the history of ICI but in the standards of governance and leadership that continue to shape British industry. He will be remembered with respect, gratitude and genuine affection.
Paul Drechsler CBE
President, Society of Chemical Industry (SCI®)
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