Michael Glynne Allen, 88, passed away peacefully on August 10th at Stamford Hospital.
Michael Glynne Allen
He leaves behind his much-loved partner of 22 years, Joan Gray, his son Mark Allen and his wife Jody Allen, daughter Sarah Allen Cruz and her husband Dinis Cruz and grandchildren Sophia Cruz and Emily Cruz.
Michael was born July 10, 1938 in Eltham, South London. He was the only child of Lucy and Merlyn Allen who were both from South Wales. During the London blitz in World War II his house was bombed and he and Lucy were evacuated to South Wales for the rest of the war.
He received a scholarship to Christ’s Hospital School, Horsham, where he played rugby. He went to London University and then onto Cambridge University (Peterhouse College) for a degree in Physics.
With his first wife Diana he moved to Wales, where his daughter Sarah was born, to work as a consultant for British Steel. He then moved to London to take up a role as a management consultant for McKinsey. His son Mark was born and the family was then relocated to Darien, CT, so Michael could work at the McKinsey New York office.
While consulting with GE in the early 1970’s, Michael is famously credited with co-developing the original 9-box GE-McKinsey strategic business matrix. This tool is used worldwide and taught widely in business and economics courses.
He was then hired by GE to work alongside Jack Welch. When Welch became CEO Michael was appointed VP of Corporate Planning. In 1979 he founded The Michael Allen Company which to this day is a leading strategic and healthcare consultancy based in Darien, CT.
Michael was known for his huge wit and sense of humour, fierce intellect, generosity and warmth that he showed to his family, friends, work colleagues and anyone he saw regularly. He has lived in Connecticut since 1968. In 1980 became the Chairman of the Silvermine Arts Center organizing fundraising for several years. He was a member of the Weeburn Country Club from 1980-2015. He was a keen sailor with his beloved boat “Intrigue”, an avid skier and a life-long fan of Welsh rugby. He was also an accomplished pianist and artist. Something he has passed onto his daughter and granddaughter.
In retirement he spearheaded fundraising in America for the Christ’s Hospital School and his Cambridge college Peterhouse. He and Joan travelled to Europe frequently and regularly visited England to see his grandchildren. He and Mark shared a passion for sailing and they went on many trips together. For years he was a regular book reviewer for Diane’s Books in Greenwich. He especially loved mysteries and history. Michael leaves behind a family shaped by his example, business shaped by his vision and a wide circle of people who adored him.
The family would like to thank the staff at Brightview Senior Living and Stamford Hospital for their excellent care of Michael.
A celebration of his life will be on August 29th at The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport, CT. Interment at the Lakeview Cemetery, New Canaan, CT, will be private.