NEWS
Laurie Boyall | Founder & CEO | 1950 - 2023
- February 18, 2023
With our deepest regret we confirm that our founder and CEO, Laurie Boyall passed away on Wednesday, the 15th of February 2023, after a short battle with illness.
Laurie was, first and foremost, a husband and a father, but to us he was a leader, a colleague and, to many, a friend.
Laurie's journey, which led him to set up McGregor Boyall, had many twists and turns. Having won a prestigious London school scholarship, Laurie gained a First-Class degree in Comparative Literature and later a PhD. While working on the latter, he taught art history in a Brighton Art College, which he loved. However, realising the academic route was not for him and having worked part time as a tour guide with Americans in Europe for periods running the company’s Paris office, he decided to move to the USA to establish a travel business. During this time, he met his future wife and, after a few years, returned to London, where he’d grown up, to be with her.
When Laurie moved back to the UK, he had no job or idea of what he wanted to do. Not long after his return, Laurie had a bad experience with a recruitment agency. It niggled Laurie that not only could he replicate this service, but he could do it better; however, he parked that thought and found a role teaching banks how to use computers. It wasn't until several months later that he came across an invoice on a computer for a recruitment fee and had his light bulb moment: McGregor Boyall was born.
Laurie went on to dedicate 36 years to the successful growth of McGregor Boyall. He put his life and soul into the business, and his passion and pride were evident for all to see.
We will greatly miss his presence, sound business judgement and sense of humour. Laurie leaves a strong business legacy and an experienced leadership team who will continue to take the company forward.
We want to thank everyone for their thoughts and kind messages. We ask that you respect the privacy of Laurie's family and friends at this challenging time.
