THE Earl of Inchcape, a former chairman of P & O and president of the

international firm which bears his name, has died at the age of 76.

Born Kenneth Mackay, he was educated at Eton College and Cambridge

University and, after succeeding his father in 1939, served with the

Royal Lancers in France and Italy during the Second World War.

Lord Inchcape, who adopted the formal title of Viscount Glenapp of

Strathnaver, was chairman of the family business, Inchcape plc, from

1958 to 1982. It is now a worldwide services and marketing group, with

subsidiaries and associate companies across the globe.

He served as a director of P & O from 1957 to 1983, the last 10 years

as chairman, during which time it bought out building group Bovis and,

in turn, resisted an unwelcome takeover by Trafalgar House.

Lord Inchcape, who had homes in Girvan and London, was also a former

chairman of the Council for Middle East Trade, and past president of

both the General Council of British Shipping and the Royal Society for

India, Pakistan and Ceylon.

He is survived by his second wife, Caroline, and six children.