Sir Michael Marshall’s extraordinary life in pictures
Family business leader, stalwart charity supporter and a champion of Cambridge, Sir Michael Marshall led an extraordinary life.
Tributes poured in following his death, at 87, on July 27. He was on holiday in Spain with his wife, Lady Sibyl, and friends.
The son of Sir Arthur Marshall, he attended St Faith's School, Cambridge, and Eton College before completing national service as a pilot in the Royal Air Force between 1950 and 1952.
He went on to read history at Jesus College at the University of Cambridge, earning his rowing blue.
Sir Michael was the grandson of David Marshall, who founded Marshall of Cambridge, on October 1, 1909, in a stable in Brunswick Gardens, Cambridge, which can be seen in this picture, believed to be from the 1950s.
After joining the family business in 1955, he was appointed managing director of Marshall (Cambridge) Limited, which is now Marshall Motor Group, in 1963.
This image shows him at work in his office in the 1960s.
He became deputy chairman of the Marshall Group of companies in 1965, before becoming group chairman - only the third in the company's history - and chief executive in 1989.
Sir Arthur died on March 16, 2007, having developed the car hire and garage business into a world-leading aerospace engineering company, which he chaired from 1942-89.
The company celebrated its centenary in 2009.
Sir Michael's son, Robert Marshall, took over as chief executive of the business in 2011.
Sir Michael remained chairman of the business.
In 2015, Marshall Motor Holdings was floated on the London Stock Exchange.
Sir Michael was a keen supporter of apprentices at Marshall, and helped to ensure Marshall had many loyal employees.
In 2016, Sir Michael became president of the company, representing Marshall at major events, and relinquished the chairmanship to deputy chairman Alex Dorrian.
Outside of the business, Sir Michael served as high sheriff of Cambridgeshire in 1988 and, from 1989, he served as deputy lieutenant of the county, including a spell as vice lord-lieutenant from 1992 to 2006.
During his life, Sir Michael met many famous people, from the king of Jordan...
...to member of the British royal family..
In 1999, he was made a CBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours, and he was honoured with a knighthood in the 2010 New Year's Honours.
He was a keen pilot, served on the Air Cadet Council and was president of The Air League from 2004-9.
An event, hosted by Marshall Leasing, was held earlier this year at Marshall Airport to honour his achievements in aviation.
Throughout his life, Sir Michael was a keen supporter of charities and good causes.
He aided the Cambridge Appeal for the British Olympic Association, served on the Prince's Trust fundraising committee and supported The Ely Cathedral Restoration Appeal.
He was president of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, chairman of the Court of Benefactors of the East Anglian Air Ambulance and was the Honorary Air Commodore of Number 2623 (East Anglian) Squadron Royal Auxilliary Air Force Regiment, He was also a member of the Council of The Prince’s Charities.
And he was a keen supporter of the Chariots of Fire charity relay race in Cambridge, which was named after the 1981 Oscar-winning film about the British team at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, for which has father had tried out.
Chariots of Fire, Queen's Green, Cambridge. Sir Michael Marshall wearing his father's cap. Picture: Keith Heppell. (14685900)
He received an honorary doctorate from Anglia Ruskin University, where he was also made an honorary visiting professor in 2009 and honorary doctor of the university in 2001. He also received an honorary doctorate from Kingston University.
Sir Michael remained involved in the company.
He was present earlier this year when Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group announced its plans to relocate outside of Cambridge, to facilitiate futher growth, by 2030.
And, most recently, he was on hand to open the new customer service centre at Cambridge Airport.
Sir Michael, a father, stepfather and stepgrandfather, lived in Swaffham Prior with Lady Sibyl.
The Marshall flag flew at half-mast to mark his death.
A private funeral will be followed by a thanksgiving service, details of which will be announced later this year.
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Sir Michael Marshall, of Marshall of Cambridge, dies while on holiday
Tributes to Sir Michael Marshall after his death at 87
