Mærsk McKinney Møller

Mr Møller felt that Denmark’s safety during the Second World War and prosperity afterwards had depended on Churchill’s personal involvement. When war broke out Maersk’s ships were turned over to the British authorities to assist in the war effort, and Churchill was swift to ensure the company was paid compensation at the end of the war. Mr Møller proposed the concept of a ‘Centre for Excellence’ which would include meeting rooms and bedrooms and bring together business and academia. He believed that with its access to the vast educational and research resources of the University of Cambridge, the Institute would be able to offer the highest standard of continuing education to international businesses wishing to develop their current and aspiring leaders.

Mærsk McKinney Møller was one of the most respected industrialists in Denmark, admired by many for his inspirational values. Gillian Secrett, Former CEO at Møller Institute, said: “I was greatly inspired by Mr Møller’s commitment and values, which he shared with me when I first joined the Institute in 1998. His watch words of ‘constant care’ have been with me throughout my career at the Møller Institute and are the basis upon which the success of the Institute has grown.”

Mr Møller sadly died in 2012 at the age of 98. His daughter, Ane Mærsk Mc-Kinney Uggla, pictured above, has taken on many of Mr Møller’s business responsibilities and is currently the Chair of the A.P. Møller & Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation and the Vice Chairman of Maersk Group’s board of directors. The Møller Institute continues to have a close business relationship with the Møller family and strives to be what Mr Møller envisaged – a ‘Centre for Excellence’ bringing business and academia together.