When and where was Robert Holmes à Court born?
Michael Robert Hamilton Holmes à Court entered the world on the 27th of July 1937 in Johannesburg, South Africa. His family lineage traced back to William à Court-Holmes, the 2nd Baron Heytesbury.
Questions about Robert Holmes à Court
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How did Robert Holmes à Court start his business career?
His entry into business occurred by accident in 1970 when his law firm acted as administrative receiver for Western Australian Worsted & Woollen Mills. He invested $500,000 into the struggling textile mill and secured government forgiveness of loans from the Minister for Industry Charles Court.
What were the aggressive acquisition tactics used by Bell Group during the 1980s?
Unsuccessful bids often generated significant profits due to inflated share prices. In 1979 an attempt to buy Ansett Transport Industries failed but earned Bell Group $11 million while a bid for Elders Goldsbrough Mort in 1981 resulted in a $16.5 million profit despite failing to acquire the company.
Why did the Bell Group collapse after Black Monday in October 1987?
Bell Group assets were valuable but could not generate enough revenue to cover debts. Merrill Lynch withdrew a $1 billion line of credit facility and Bond Corporation ended up holding 68% majority shareholding after stripping $500 million from Bell Resources to prop up their own debts.
When did Robert Holmes à Court die and how was his estate divided?
A heavy smoker suffering from diabetes died of heart failure on the 2nd of September 1990 at age 53. He died intestate leaving his estate divided among family members with one-third going to widow Janet while the remainder split equally between four children.