Jim Swanson, former Group General Manager of Gomshall and Associated Tanneries died on December 20, 2001, aged 89.

He was born in Gibraltar, and educated at Colfes Grammar School, Lewisham and the Leathersellers’ Technical College, Bermondsey.

He joined the Vestey Organisation in 1930. During the war, he joined the Home Guard in Surrey, and was later commissioned in the Royal Navy. After the war, he returned to his chosen career with the Vesteys, working first at the Gomshall Tannery, and then managing J. Meredith Jones at Wrexham. In early 1951 he designed and opened a tannery in Mazamet (France) and was then sent to Australia to rescue the Northmead Light Leather Co. He was told he would be home by Christmas but this transpired to be by Christmas 1952! He was then appointed General Manager of the Gomshall Group of Tanneries which, at its peak, had factories in Gomshall, Abingdon, Wrexham, Nuneaton, France, Australia and New Zealand. Under Jim’s leadership the group became the largest producer of ovine clothing leather in the world, using up to one quarter of all suitable available New Zealand Lamb Pelts each year.

During his career he gave much time and effort to the leather trade as a whole. He was a member of Council of the British Leather Federation from 1968 to 1982. He was elected Deputy President in 1968, and President in 1970 during a particularly difficult and stressful time. He was Chairman of the Leather Institute from 1976 until 1982, and represented the trade at many functions around the world. One of his specialities was to produce samples of mouseskin or frogskin both at lectures and on TV. This was particularly appreciated by viewers in Hong Kong!

He was also honoured to become a Governor of his former school, now independent and re-located in Lee Green, a post he held from 1977 to 1990

Jim is survived by his wife Peg, who accompanied him on so many of his trips, and supported him throughout his career (especially the long stay in Australia, when she remained in the UK to cope with four young children), by three sons and one daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He will be sorely missed by all his friends, and all those who had the privilege of working with him. He was an extraordinary man who achieved much and was always fair, available and receptive. He was a great boss.

Written by Heinz Mayer in conjunction with the family of Jim Swanson.