Leslie Cussons (13 January 1907 – 6 September 1963) was the Chairman of Cussons Sons & Co, the largest independent soap manufacturer in Britain. Leslie continued manufacturing of the famous brand Cussons Imperial Leather.
Leslie Cussons | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 January 1907 Swinton, Lancashire, England, UK |
| Died | 6 September 1963 (aged 56) Manchester, England, UK |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouses | Winsome Wheal (m. 1936)Marie Derlich (m. 1946)Margaret Bevan (m. 1958) |
| Parent(s) | Alex T. Cussons (1875–1951) Emily Cussons (1875–1957) |
Family edit
Born in Swinton, near Salford, Lancashire, England to Alexander Tom Cussons (1875–1951) and his wife, Emily Jane Cussons (née Kidd; 1875–1957).[citation needed]
Career edit
Leslie Cussons worked at the Cussons Company from 1924 until his death in 1963. In 1951, he succeeded his father to become chairman of the Cussons Company.[1] He oversaw the acquisition of Gerard Bros. in 1955,[2] and subsequently made extensive improvements to the Gerard Bros Nottingham factory.[3] In 1957, he also acquired the 1001 Carpet Cleaner brand, and made it into Britain's leading carpet cleaner.[citation needed]
In 1963, he showed Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh around his factory in Kersal, Salford. Prince Philip was introduced to selected factory staff before unveiling a plaque in the entrance hall.[4][5][6]
Interests edit
Leslie Cussons was keenly interested in agriculture, and owned large farms in Derbyshire and the Isle of Man[7][8]
He was a tennis enthusiast, having reached the early rounds of Wimbledon, and was president of the Lancashire County Tennis Association.[9][10]
Residence edit
He resided at Hale Bank Farm in Altrincham, Cheshire (now Greater Manchester) near Manchester Airport[11] and Ballacotch Manor in the Isle of Man.[12]
References edit
- ^ "Company News". The Chemist and Druggist. 29 September 1951. p. 414.
- ^ "Company Meetings". The Times. 20 July 1960. p. 19.
- ^ Linday, D. T. A. (1976). Soapmaking past and present.
- ^ "Royal Visit to Soap Works". The Chemist and Druggist. 22 June 1963. p. 679.
- ^ "Royal Borough prepares for a Royal Visit". Salford Reporter. 14 June 1963. pp. 1–2.
- ^ "Duke of Edinburgh's Lancashire Tour". The Guardian. 15 June 1963. p. 4.
- ^ "Ellerslie Dairy Farm Sold". Country Life. 25 November 1949. p. 1603.
- ^ "Mr L. Cussons dies after a short illness". Salford Reporter. 13 September 1963.
- ^ "Obituary Mr Leslie Cussons". The Times. 7 September 1963. p. 10.
- ^ "Soap Firm Director Dies Suddenly at 56". Swinton & Pendlebury Journal. 11 September 1963. p. 7.
- ^ The London Gazette, 9 March 1965. pg. 2483.
- ^ "50-acre estate for sale in Isle of Man". The Times. 21 October 1963. p. 7.