He entered the Builders’ Merchants industry when he bought National Wallpaper and Building Supply Ltd in Camberwell, a lightside merchant, and after a fire at the premises in 1976 purchased the adjoining land and added heavyside products.
He joined the Company as a Freeman in October 1977 just after the Company had received Livery status but before the Letters Patent were presented in November 1977 by the then Lord Mayor, Sir Robin Gillett. He was then able to become a Liveryman.
He was invested as Master on 27 October 1992 at Butchers Hall where he intriguingly named his savoury course of soft roes “Quo Vadis”- where are we going.
In his Master’s year he was elegantly supported by Eileen and they commissioned from the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace the two badges embroidered on the sleeves of the Wardens robes. These remain as his distinguished legacy to the Company.
His quizzical questions at Court meetings asked with a twinkle or with his dry sense of humour kept many subsequent Masters on their toes.
He was a keen Rotarian, first at Camberwell and then as Founder President of Caterham Harestone where he was honoured as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was Chairman of the South East London Merchants and served on the Board of Governors of the Institute of Builders Merchants.
He died at 87 leaving Eileen, his two daughters and two grandchildren – one of life’s gentlemen.
