Sir Alec Reed 1934 - 2025

Today we announce with sadness that the Reed Group's founder, Sir Alec Reed, has died peacefully at the age of 91.

Sir Alec, knighted for services to business and charity in 2011, opened the first Reed office in 1960 with £75 and saw it grow into a market-leading recruitment business with an annual turnover of over £1billion and nearly 4,500 employees, known as co-members.

Reed in Partnership was established as part of the Reed Group of companies by Sir Alec and his son James in 1998. Sir Alec had continued to play an active role in the Reed group of companies as Founder at Large, a position he took in 2004 after stepping down as Chairman.

Sir Alec also founded Big Give, a match funding charity which has grown to become the biggest fundraiser in the UK, raising £44.7million in one week last Christmas. Well known for his interest in philanthropy, he famously said on receiving his knighthood: “Without business there would be no charity, and without charity what’s the point of business?”.

As well as Big Give, Sir Alec founded the Reed Foundation in 1972. It owns 18 per cent of the Reed Group, ensuring that co-members effectively work one day a week for charity, and has given away over £40 million to various charities.

Born in Hounslow in 1934, Sir Alec left school at 16 but went on to receive three doctorates and was three times a professor.

Sir Alec's legacy will live on through the mission our company was set: to transform people and their communities.