Obituary, Gordon Nelson: 29th July 1942 – 29th March 2016

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) is saddened to announce the passing of our Senior Vice President, Chairman for Scotland, Director, Member and great friend to the BWF, Gordon Nelson.  Gordon passed away suddenly on Tuesday 29th March.  

Always an energetic, good-humoured and optimistic individual, Gordon started his career in the Joinery Industry in 1968 as Northern Field Sales Manager for Gliksten Doors based in Hull, selling flush doors and doorsets.

Gordon moved on in 1974 to take up the position of Sales and Marketing Director covering windows and doors for Rothervale Joinery based in Sheffield.  Rothervale belonged to the Henry Boot Construction family and Gordon became well known in the Industry as he helped grow the Company’s sales to become one of the largest in the industry.

In 1986 Rothervale was bought by the John Carr Group and Gordon found himself looking for another position as the new Company consolidated the two businesses.  Gordon was almost immediately re-engaged in the industry working for the newly formed Sarek Joinery who had a timber window factory Rippers, and a kitchen company Clare Kitchens in Sible Hedingham and a Flush Door business, F Hills in Stockton-on-Tees.  Gordon quickly established himself and through his sales success he progressed to become Sales and Marketing Director.

In 1987 Gordon took a brave step to invest in a management buyout of the business from its then Swedish private equity owner Optimus and during the next two years helped to grow the business to a £30m Company with operating profits in the £3m area. Success attracted interest from Norcross plc who had previously acquired the Crosby Door business from Meyer International and at the end of 1988 the business was acquired by Norcross and subsequently merged with Crosby to form Crosby-Sarek.  Based out of Swindon Wiltshire, at the time of the merger, annual sales were in excess of £80m.

Gordon remained in the new business for a year when he left to form his own trading company Eurojoinery. Gordon also acted for a time as the Sales Director for J B Kind, a door distributor in the Midlands.

In 2011 Gordon decided to concentrate on the Euro-joinery sales company and has been involved in the distribution of some well-known door and window products.  He also recently took the role of Chairman at Blairs Windows based in Glasgow.  
Gordon had been an active, engaged and enthusiastic member of the BWF and only last year was made the Chairman of the newly formed Scottish Division and had already started to develop some very good contacts and new membership for the Federation North of the Border.  

His immense industry experience, sound strategic thinking and sense of fun will be greatly missed.

As well his busy business and BWF commitments, Gordon split his time between his flat in London and on his beloved small-holding,  As a passionate Scotsman Gordon was elected as Vice President to the Clan Gunn in July 2015, a Highland Scottish clan associated with lands in north-eastern Scotland, including Caithness, Sutherland and, the Orkney Isles. The Clan Gunn is one of the oldest Scottish Clans descended from the Norse Jarls of Orkney and the Pictish Mormaers of Caithness.  

Gordon tragically lost his wife Helen to cancer some 2 years ago and leaves two daughters Julie and Justine.

Iain McIlwee, CEO, British Woodworking Federation 5th April 2016