Douglas Walker obituary

Douglas Walker, who has died aged 87, was the longest-serving managing director of the agricultural and grounds care equipment company John Deere.

Doug, as he was known, was a key figure in the company's establishment and growth in the UK and Ireland after it started trading from headquarters at Langar, near Nottingham, in January 1966. In the 25 years under his leadership it developed into a strong, well-known organisation.