Ken Boyson of Keunens and Connollys passed away on April 16, following a debilitating illness. He was 57.

Born and raised in Northamptonshire, UK, where his father sold leather for the myriad of Tanneries that were based in the town at that time, Mr Boyson read Chemistry at Nottingham University. He graduated in 1971 and took an agency job in the limeyard gang of Keunen Bros, Irthlingborough. His scientific mind and technical abilities were soon noticed by Jan Maksym, senior leather technologist and the two developed a powerful rapport.

Mr Boyson was sponsored to read for his Masters Degree at Leeds University After which he returned to Keunens as technical manager—a role in which he made a major contribution to the company’s development.

In 1979 he moved to Kano, Nigera with Holts for five years and in 1985 he moved to join Stahl Asia in Singapore, becoming part of the exciting start of leather production transfer to the region.

In 1989 he returned to Keunens as technical director and in 1994 joined Connelly Bros as technical director at the Wandle Bank plant. He subsequently worked as a technical consultant to Groppe Lederval in Spain.