William R. Miller CBE
Medal of Honor
A noted philanthropist and longtime supporter of St. George’s Society, William R. Miller CBE served as President from 2001 to 2003 and remains a member of the Society’s Advisory Council. Under his presidency, the Society founded what is now the Queen Elizabeth II September 11th Garden—of which he is Chairman Emeritus.
After graduating from St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University, in 1952, Miller joined Pfizer in the UK and remained with them until 1964 when he became Overseas Resident Manager for Europe for Bristol Laboratories—later Bristol Myers-Squibb. He transferred to the US from Europe in 1966 and from 1980 to 1989, Mr. Miller held worldwide executive responsibility for Bristol-Myers' pharmaceutical and nutritional businesses before retiring as Vice Chairman in 1991.
As an industry leader, Miller was active in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association in the 1980's, serving as Chairman in 1986-1987. Between 1991 and 2009, he has served on the board of several biotechnology companies and is a past Chairman of the Board of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory—now an Honorary Trustee.
He is currently Chairman of the American Fund for Westminster Abbey, a Board member of Americans for Oxford, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and an Advisory Director of the Metropolitan Opera. He has served on the boards of a wide variety of organizations including the English-Speaking Union, St. Paul’s Cathedral Trust in America, Manhattan School of Music, and Opera Orchestra of New York. He has served on the Vestry of Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue.
In 2000, he was appointed Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty The Queen for services to British charities in the US, then subsequently appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to UK/USA relations in business and philanthropy in 2011.
He was also appointed Knight of Justice in the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in 2001.
Mr. Miller was married to the late Irene Diaman Miller for almost forty years until her passing in 2015. He has three children from his first marriage and two stepchildren. Mr. Miller resides in New York City.
The Medal of Honor was established to recognize those who have rendered exemplary service to British interests and/or the international community at large.
