Jim McAllister (4 Mar 1944 - 26 Jul 2024)

Donate in memory of
JimBRIGHT

£1,000.00 + Gift Aid of £187.50
In partnership with

Donate in memory of
JimTopic of Cancer

£1,515.00 + Gift Aid of £336.25
In partnership with

Funeral Director

Location
Jesus Christ Redeemer of Mankind St Nicolas Avenue Cranleigh GU6 7AQ
Date
20th Aug 2024
Time
11am
Open map

Location
Loseley Park The Tithe Barn Guildford GU3 1HS
Date
20th Aug 2024
Time
1.15pm

Print

James Andrew Clark McAllister was born on 4 March 1944, in Blantyre, to Margaret Clark and James McAllister. The eldest of six children, Jim was a proud Scot and despite moving to the south of England in his 20s, he never ceased to describe himself as Scottish first and British second.

Deciding he wanted to work in the property industry, Jim took a novel approach to job hunting by posting an advert in the Estates Gazette: ‘Young man, reasonably well-educated wants to work in property’. He received 16 replies and decided to join Chown Securities in 1971. From there he moved to London & Manchester Securities in 1979. By 1983, tired of making lots of money for others, and having spotted a development opportunity in West London, Jim decided to branch out on his own and The Rutland Group was established in a single rented room in a multi-let office building in the heart of Mayfair. By 1988, Jim had expanded the Company and taken over the entire five storeys of 11 Upper Brook Street and embarked on what was to become his first landmark development at Bedfont Lakes in West London.

Jim was entrepreneurial and liked to think outside the box. In many ways, he was ahead of his time, in that he saw no conflict between being an environmentalist and a developer. He didn’t need to be told to be a responsible developer, it came naturally to him and he was leading the field long before it became fashionable. He was interested in investing for the longer term, as he demonstrated at both Bedfont Lakes and later Dunsfold Park; ten to 20 years in the lifespan of a project was nothing to him.

Jim remained at the forefront of pioneering ideas throughout his career. He was a man of integrity who wanted to shape the environment for the better. His ideas for sustainable development represented a totally new way of thinking and building and living in a world affected by and seeking to mitigate climate change. Such was the innovation of Jim’s thinking that he was the first developer to persuade Friends of the Earth to support a major development scheme - at that time it was, quite simply, unheard of.

In his private life, Jim was passionate about shooting. An international marksman, he represented his country in competition both nationally and internationally and at the Commonwealth Games. He was a Match Rifle world record holder and Secretary and Firearms Officer for the National Rifle Club of Scotland, one of the oldest shooting clubs in the world.

Despite all his personal and professional achievements, Jim’s greatest passion was his family. His children: David, Jamie, Emma & Hugo. They were the accomplishments of which he was most proud. Time spent with them made him happier and more fulfilled than anything else and he often remarked how lucky he was that three of his children had followed him into the family business, allowing him to spend time with them virtually every day of the working week. His daughter, Emma, lived nearby, meaning he was also able to spend time with Emma and her family on a regular basis. Jim excelled as a grandfather to Isobel, Edith, Etta, Theodore and Jack and step-grandfather to Daisy and Arthur. He was always happy to get down with the kids, he never patronised and always encouraged. His attitude was summed up by the words Jim had inscribed on toy boxes that he commissioned: ‘Children are the rainbow of life. Grandchildren are the pot of gold’.

Jim was gloriously, fantastically generous with his time, his friendship and his assets. His legacy will endure through the sustainable projects that he built, the green innovations he championed, the communities he enriched and the countless lives he touched with his vision and generosity.

He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and all who were inspired by his work.

The funeral will be held at Jesus Christ Redeemer of Mankind, St Nicolas Avenue, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 7AQ on Tuesday 20 August at 11:00, to be followed by a private committal at Guildford Crematorium. The family would be pleased if guests would join them afterwards to celebrate Jim’s life at Loseley Park, Guildford, GU3 1HS from 13:15.

Everyone is welcome but please confirm if you will be joining us at Loseley Park to assist with catering requirements. Submit your attendance via this page or RSVP to nancy.edwards@rutland.co.uk.

Family flowers only, please, but we would be delighted if you wanted to donate to one of Jim’s chosen charities, BRIGHT Cancer Care and Topic of Cancer, in his memory.

BRIGHT Cancer Care funds ongoing research into improving treatment options and outcomes for patients and through the purchase of new equipment for a whole range of GI and HPB cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and other advanced treatments. BRIGHT supports the clinical and research work of cancer specialists at St Luke’s Cancer Centre and the Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery Unit, both based at the Royal Surrey County Hospital (RSCH) in Guildford. https://brightcancercare.org.uk/

Topic of Cancer is an award-winning Surrey based charity supporting Immunotherapy, a cancer treatment that is saving lives and bringing hope for a better future. https://www.topicofcancer.org.uk/

If you are unable to attend the funeral in person, you can view the service via this link: https://www.cpcb.org.uk/church-at-home/

Edward Liverpool donated in memory of Jim
Add a Donation
Ed Smyth wrote

Good morning to Jim’s family. I have just heard after returning from my summer holiday about the very sad news. My thoughts are with you all. Jim and I met in the early 80s , when he was at Chestertons , he found my company news offices and we became friends ever since. We played 5 a side , at Westbourne grove, won the league( Mike Gruber also played)
When I became a director of Faiclough ( afterwards Amec plc) we did over £100M work together and all made money. We negotiated all contracts and trusted each other implicitly.
As a fellow Scot , we would regularly plot against the English 😂. When my wife got her new Range Rover, he invited us to Surrey and then frightened the life out of her , with his off road , reverse down the hill at speed. Hugo was there and played with Carnegie and Scott.
I last saw him at the aerodrome , where he showed me how my Bentley should be driven 😂
I was unable to attend his last birthday party ( we were at our holiday home in Tenerife) and was unaware he was poorly. I am sure you all have so many memories, and in time you will celebrate his life a great man , father , husband, grandfather and my friend.
My thoughts are with you all
Aye
Ed Smyth
( please pass my best wishes to Julie(

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Alexis BARNES wrote

I am so sorry to hear of Jim's Passing. We occasionally bumped into him at the coffee shops in Cranleigh and always had great conversations. We held Jim in high regards and we are truly saddened to hear this news. RIP xx

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Andrew Boulton donated in memory of Jim
Add a Donation
Nancy Pigden posted a picture
Report abuse
Comment on this photo
Nancy Pigden donated £100 in memory of Jim

Forever in our hearts. With love Nancy & Richard

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Anne Powell-Evans donated £100 in memory of Jim

So touched that Jim should choose Topic of Cancer. A lovely person.

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Stephanie Beacham lit a candle
Stephanie Beacham wrote

David, Jamie,Emma,Hugo,
I loved and respected your Father and will always treasure being so welcome to your home when my gypsy life led me to Guildford.
My love to you all and my sorrow for your enormous loss.
Stephanie with huge hugs.

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Carole Cockburn donated £50 in memory of Jim

A small gift to honour a great man.

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Denise Le Gal donated in memory of Jim

Rest in peace dear Jim.

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Sara Birch donated in memory of Jim
Add a Donation
Sara Birch donated in memory of Jim
Add a Donation
Sara Birch wrote

In a busy life you always had time for your friends; I am grateful I was one of them and that the friendship extended to Trevor and our girls.

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Dominique McAll is attending the funeral
Paul Shackleton donated £50 in memory of Jim
Add a Donation
Paul McCue donated £100 in memory of Jim

With thanks for Jim's interest and support over many years for our educational charity, The Secret WW2 Learning Network

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Nick & Kylie McAlister donated in memory of Jim

Jim, Thank you for the generosity you have shown us as a family over the years, and especially for the kindness towards our boys. Kylie enjoyed every minute of the lessons you shared together, waltzing around the dance floor. And to the McAllister Clan, our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences.

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Ryan Blyth is attending the reception
Lydia Richardson is attending the reception
Margaret and Anne Marie McAllister wrote

Dearest Cousin Jim,
Thank you for your love and generosity.
This quote from Robert Burns expresses our deepest feelings.

An honest man here lies at rest
A e’er God with his image blest!
The friend of man, the friend of truth;
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Margaret and Anne Marie McAllister donated in memory of Jim

Dearest Cousin Jim,
Thank you for your love and generosity.
This quote from Robert Burns expresses our deepest feelings.

An honest man here lies at rest
A e’er God with his image blest!
The friend of man, the friend of truth;
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Simon Miller donated £50 in memory of Jim

With condolences from
Simon and Rebecca Miller

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Martin Kelly donated £25 in memory of Jim

A small donation to a worthy cause because of a special guy.

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Martin Kelly is attending the funeral and the reception
Martin Kelly posted a picture
Special day

Special day

Report abuse
Comment on this photo
Martin Kelly wrote

I first met Jim when I volunteered to take part in the Wings And Wheels event held at Dunsfold Park. Even as a very busy man, he took the time to speak and get to know you. Each year when I returned to help with the show, he would always remember who you were and take interest in what you were doing, he was very kind and helpful to me and my family as we all became part of the ‘Dunsfold family’. I wish I’d had, more time to get to know him better. A very inspirational man who will be sadly missed.

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Jayne Bleby donated £50 in memory of Jim

From us all at Surrey Diagnostics

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Dr Rebecca Bowden donated in memory of Jim

On behalf of all the staff and volunteers at the Community Foundation for Surrey. Jim was a founding trustee of the Foundation, and since he helped to set it up nearly 20 years ago it has awarded over £23m in funding to local charities and community groups - something that simply wouldn't have happened without his vision. He was always hugely generous too with his time and wise advice, and we are all very grateful for his quiet support over many years.

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Jeremy Owen donated in memory of Jim

Jim - I will always remember you with great affection and admiration. Your vision was ahead of its time, backed up by action on the ground, unlike any other developer I know. For well over 20 years you were my client - you both challenged and inspired me to deliver my best, while showing deep kindness, generosity and humbleness throughout. Your name and your legacy will outlive us all. Thank you for your contribution to a better future for us all.

Report abuse
Comment on this message
Powered by Funeral Guide Contact Funeral Guide