Hugh Bidwell

Sir Hugh Charles Philip Bidwell GBE (1 November 1934 – 7 December 2013) was a British businessman and the 662nd Lord Mayor of London in 1989–90.[1] Prior to his election as mayor Bidwell was an alderman of the Billingsgate ward from 1979 to 1996, and a sheriff of the City of London in 1986.[1] Bidwell was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) on his election as mayor.[1]

Headstone to Sir Hugh and Lady Jenny Bidwell in the cemetery of the Church of the Holy Cross, Goodnestone, Kent

Bidwell was born in 1934, the son of a wine importer, and was schooled at Stonyhurst. Undergoing National Service in the East Surrey Regiment in 1953, he served in Nyasaland, Kenya with the 1st Btn King's African Rifles.[1]

Bidwell began working in the food industry with the breakfast cereal maker Viota, and became a director of Viota in 1962.[1] Bidwell was subsequently chairman of the food company Pearce Duff, headed the food arm of Gill & Duffus, and joined Allied Lyons in 1985.[1]

Bidwell was married twice, first to Jenifer Webb in 1962, with whom he had two sons, and a daughter. Webb died in 2001.[1] Bidwell married for a second time to Priscilla Pode (née Hunter). His wife and three children survived him at his death.[1]

Bidwell was buried with his first wife in the cemetery of Holy Cross Church, Goodnestone, Kent.