Herbert John Charles Browne, OBE, JP (21 December 1923 – 23 July 2015) was a British businessman. Born on 21 December 1923 in Bangalore, India, Browne spent the majority of his career working for the Swire Group in Japan, Hong Kong and London. He joined the company in 1947, having spent the war years in India. Recruited for his shipping experience, Browne worked in Hong Kong and Japan and in 1964 was appointed chairman, or Taipan, in Hong Kong. This position included chairmanship of some of the Group's key subsidiaries, including Cathay Pacific Airways, HAECO and Swire Pacific. From 1973 - 1984 he was appointed director of the Group holding company John Swire & Sons Ltd. in London and from 1984 to 1988 he was Deputy Chairman of Lloyd's Register of Shipping.