Former Walker’s Shortbread boss James ‘Jim’ Nicol Walker passed away this weekend at the age of 80.
Jim is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jennifer; his four children, Jacqui, Jamie, Bryony and Alistair; and six grandchildren, Logan, Romy, Joshua, Torren, Joanie and Wyatt.
Born in Elgin on 13 June 1944, Jim was the grandson of Walker’s Shortbread founder Joseph Walker, who opened his bakery in 1898 with a £50 loan.
After completing his education at Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen, Jim joined the family bakery alongside a workforce of 16 people and learnt every aspect of the work involved before becoming Walker’s first dedicated salesman.
For over 60 years, Jim dedicated his life to creating and building the Walker’s brand across the world.
In his role as joint managing director alongside his brother Joe, Jim was the driving force of Walker’s sales growth, developing the business from a small family bakery in Aberlour to a globally recognised brand, achieving £184m of turnover in 2023 (from £40,000 in the year that he joined) and being awarded the Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth in 2002.
Jim held the position of Deputy Lieutenant of Banffshire from 1998-2019 and was awarded the CBE for services to industry in 1999.
In 2022, he was named within the prestigious Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood in Queen Elizabeth II’s last Birthday Honours list, and subsequently was invested by King Charles III at the Palace of Holyrood, Edinburgh. The knighthood was in recognition of exceptional services to the food industry.
A lasting legacy
Jim had recently stepped aside from his main responsibilities to an ambassadorial and advisory role, allowing the members of the fourth generation, including three of his children, to take on the management of the company.
“Intensely proud of the company’s Speyside roots, and dedicated to his colleagues and the community, Jim’s leadership and vision were instrumental in shaping Walker’s into the company it is today,” said Walker’s Shortbread.
He was “incredibly hard-working” and “devoted to building strong personal relationships founded on trust with those he met on his travels”, it added.
“Many of these became enduring partnerships, lasting decades.
“Beyond his professional legacy, Jim will be remembered for his warmth, humility, and generosity of spirit – a person who took genuine interest in others and who was well loved in the business and the wider community.
“He loved fishing on the River Spey, playing golf, and he had a keen interest in ornithology and nature, though his family, with four children and six grandchildren, and business, have been his main interest and pleasures.
“We will honour his memory by continuing to uphold the values and legacy he built over a lifetime of dedication.”
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