Alistair Durie

Treasurer of the DFA

Alistair was born in 1944 in Yorkshire to Alec and Joyce Durie.  His father, later Sir Alexander Durie CBE (1919-2001), was instrumental in modernising the Automobile Association.  After going to Rugby School Alistair met David (now Sir David) Durie at Christ Church, Oxford. Here their similar surnames caused some confusion amongst the academic staff: at that time they were the first Duries ever to go to Oxford. Sir David is now the chairman of the Durie Family Association.

After graduating, Alistair joined the large city firm of Chartered Accountants, Binder Hamlyn.  He went on to become a senior partner and enjoyed an interesting and varied career, advising clients and also involved in the financial administration of the partnership.  During his professional career, Alistair’s non-executive appointments included being the Treasurer of the Institute of Directors and Treasurer of the Surrey County Cricket Club. Alistair decided to take early retirement a few years after his firm was absorbed by one of the largest international accounting firms.

Alistair is married to Linda Durie (nee Collopy) and they live in Norfolk.  He has a son and a daughter by a previous marriage and now has a total of five grandchildren.

Alistair’s other interests have revolved around cricket and collecting Science Fiction magazines and books since his years at Oxford.  His own book Weird Tales (Jupiter Press 1979) is an essential pictorial guide to the great SF magazine.  Being well known in SF circles, he has used his large collection to assist with research into the history of modern SF.