Farewell to Mærsk McKinney-Møller 1913-2012

A long and active life has come to an end, and Denmark has lost one of the few truly international businessmen that this country has produced. For more than 70 years, shipowner Mærsk McKinney-Møller has worked for the company and the country with the purpose of creating additional value and was a leading figure in the working of the company as well as in
society.

Mærsk McKinney-Møller became joint owner of the company ”Firmaet A.P. Møller” in 1940. Since his father’s death in 1965 he was director and chairman of the most important companies in the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group. Mærsk McKinney-Møller undertook the daily management until 1993 and served as chairman of A.P. Møller – Maersk A/S until 2003.

Mærsk McKinney-Møller’s role encompassed a wide scope, and as a responsible leader and citizen he was interested in things great and small in society. Mærsk McKinney-Møller commented on national as well as international political issues when the interests of the company were at stake.

Until the end, Mærsk McKinney-Møller remained strongly committed on a personal level in the company’s business. Every week you would meet him on his way up the stairs to the sixth floor at the Esplanaden headquarters in Copenhagen, where he followed developments closely. Should issues in the business require an opinion or comment, Mærsk McKinney-Møller always made his position clear in no uncertain terms accompanied with wit and always based on thorough knowledge of the company and the history.

Mærsk McKinney-Møller often had a twinkle in his eye, and both I and many employees have experienced a humorous remark when meeting Mærsk McKinney-Møller in the corridors of Esplanaden.

Mærsk McKinney-Møller’s strong presence in the company made a significant difference to us all, both professionally and personally. His presence was a strength to the board, to the business and the employees and will be strongly missed.

– Michael Pram Rasmussen, Chairman of A.P. Møller – Maersk A/S

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