Sir James Fletcher I

Sir James Fletcher I was a trailblazing New Zealand industrialist. He was born in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, on 29 March 1886. In 1908, he immigrated to Ōtepoti Dunedin, where he began work as a tradesman and foreman for a building firm. The following year, he and A. J. Morris started a business as builders and contractors trading under the name of Fletcher and Morris. James’s brother William arrived from Scotland and joined the firm, which became Fletcher Brothers and Morris. In 1913, the partnership was dissolved and James and William formed Fletcher Brothers. Other brothers soon entered the company as well.

The business grew to take on jobs around the country. In 1919, its name changed to the Fletcher Construction Company. James was managing director until 1940, when the Fletcher Holdings was formed. He was made chairman of directors, while his son J. C. Fletcher became managing director. During the Second World War, James was Commissioner of Defence Construction, Superintendent of Military Works, and Controller of Shipping. In 1946, he was knighted for his services to the country during the conflict.

The post-war years saw the expansion of Fletcher Holdings into Australia and the Pacific, links with overseas businesses, and the development of new companies, including the Tasman Pulp and Paper Company. James was chairman of the board of Fletcher Holdings until 1967 and founder president until his death in 1974.

This portrait was painted in the spring of 1950, during a visit by James to England and Scotland. On 10 April that year, he received the Freedom of the Burgh of Kirkintilloch.