Malcolm Pickles was educated at Ermysted’s GS Skipton York’s and in the Procter Department in Leeds University where he obtained his degree in Leather Chemistry under Dr Burton and Professor A G Ward.

He was appointed as a Research Assistant at the National Leathersellers College in London. His initial appointment was sponsored by Wattle Export Development and he began working on the comparisons of vegetable tanning systems in 1962.

When Robert Sykes moved on to the BLMRA Malcolm became responsible for the teaching of Physical Testing and Statistics. On the retirement of George Humphreys he took on the responsibility for Heavy Leather.

He was a major member of the team which oversaw the transfer to the present site of the school in Northampton in 1978 where he has been ever since.

It has been estimated that Malcolm has been involved in the education and training of over 1500 students from more than 80 countries. His contribution to the school, testing organisations and the industry in general has been enormous. He will be greatly missed by students and colleagues alike.

Over the next few months staff and students will be organising a number of events and presentations for Malcolm. If any ex-students, colleagues, friends wish to be involved they should contact any member of Staff at the school for further details.