Jim Kennedy: Qld mourning one of its ‘most influential businessmen’

Jim Kennedy, one of the giants of modern-day Queensland, has died, aged 87.

One of the giants of modern-day Queensland, Jim Kennedy, has died. He was 87.

Mr Kennedy died overnight at St Vincent’s Private Hospital.

He held an Order of Australia.

His son Peter Kennedy today confirmed the news.

“He wanted to be cremated immediately,’’ said Peter.

“He would like to be remembered as a businessman and a chartered accountant.

“He commonly referred to the fact he was a life member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.’’

Mr Kennedy ran many government inquiries and he led the investigation that closed Boggo Road Jail.

He was chair of Queensland Tourism and the now defunct Small Business Development Corporation.

“He would always say the most important thing in life is family,’’ Peter said.

Jim Kennedy at home at Hawthorne in 2010. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Mr Kennedy was the longest-serving director of the Australian Stock Exchange, a board member of Qantas, Suncorp, the Commonwealth Bank, Santos, Pacific Dunlop and GWA.

He was head of the Queensland Investment Corporation during its halcyon years in the 1980s, virtually setting it up.

Mr Kennedy loved horse racing and enjoyed great recent success with Snitz, Hot Snitzel, and most recently, Cepheus.

Former CIUB boss Mike Pelly, a close friend, said Mr Kennedy was “the most influential businessman of our time in Queensland’’.

“He was the giant of directors in this state in my time,’’ he said.

The family are planning a private memorial.