Leslie Cussons: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Soap manufacturer}}

'''Leslie Cussons''' ([[13 January]] [[1907]] – [[6 September]] [[1963]]). Born in [[Swinton, Greater Manchester|Swinton]], [[Salford]], [[England]] to [[Alexander Tom Cussons]] ([[1875]]–[[1951]]) and his wife Emily Jane Cussons (née Kidd, [[1875]]–[[1957]]). Leslie was the Chairman of Cussons Sons & Co, the largest independent soap manufacturer in [[United Kingdom|Britain]]. Leslie continued manufacturing of the famous brand [[Imperial Leather|Cussons Imperial Leather]].

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Leslie Cussons

| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1907|01|13}}

| birth_place = [[Swinton, Greater Manchester|Swinton]], Lancashire, England, UK

| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1963|09|06|1907|01|13}}

| death_place = [[Manchester]], England, UK

| occupation = Businessman

| spouse = {{plainlist|

* {{marriage|Winsome Wheal|12 December 1936}}

* {{marriage|Marie Derlich|23 January 1946}}

* {{marriage|Margaret Bevan|12 July 1958}}

}}

| parents = [[Alexander Tom Cussons|Alex T. Cussons]] (1875–1951)<br> Emily Cussons (1875–1957)

}}

'''Leslie Cussons''' ([[13 January]] [[1907]] – [[6 September]] [[1963]]). Born in [[Swinton, Greater Manchester|Swinton]], [[Salford]], [[England]] to [[Alexander Tom Cussons]] ([[1875]]–[[1951]]) and his wife Emily Jane Cussons (née Kidd, [[1875]]–[[1957]]). Leslie was the Chairman of Cussons Sons & Co, the largest independent soap manufacturer in [[United Kingdom|Britain]]. Leslie continued manufacturing of the famous brand [[Imperial Leather|Cussons Imperial Leather]].

==Career==

Leslie worked at the Cussons Company from 1924 until his death in 1963. In 1951 Leslie succeeded his father to become chairman of the Cussons Company. Leslie oversaw the acquisition of [[Gerard Bros.]] in 1955, and subsequently made extensive improvements to the Gerard Bros Nottingham factory.<ref>Linday, D.T.A. (1976). ''Soapmaking past and present''</ref> In 1957 Leslie also acquired the 1001 Carpet Cleaner brand, and made it into Britain's leading carpet cleaner.

==Family==

In 1963 Leslie 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.<ref>''Salford Reporter'', June 14 1963 "Royal Borough prepares for a Royal Visit" at pages 1-2</ref>

Born in [[Swinton, Greater Manchester|Swinton]], near [[City of Salford|Salford]], Lancashire, England to [[Alexander Tom Cussons]] (1875–1951) and his wife, Emily Jane Cussons ({{nee}} Kidd; 1875–1957).{{cn|date=April 2024}}

==Career==

Leslie Cussons worked at the Cussons Company from 1924 until his death in 1963. In 1951, Lesliehe succeeded his father to become chairman of the Cussons Company.<ref>{{cite news |title=Company News |url=https://archive.org/stream/b19974760M3902#page/414/mode/2up/search/Leslie+Cussons |work=The Chemist and Druggist |date=29 September 1951 |page=414}}</ref> He oversaw the acquisition of [[Gerard Bros.]] in 1955,<ref>{{cite news |title=Company Meetings |work=The Times |date=20 July 1960 |page=19}}</ref> and subsequently made extensive improvements to the Gerard Bros Nottingham factory.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Linday, |first1=D. T. A. (1976). ''|title=Soapmaking past and present'' |date=1976}}</ref> In 1957, Lesliehe also acquired the 1001 Carpet Cleaner brand, and made it into Britain's leading carpet cleaner.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

In 1963, Lesliehe 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.<ref>''Salford{{cite Reporter'',news June|title=Royal 14Visit to Soap Works |url=https://archive.org/stream/b19974760M4538#page/n7/mode/2up/search/Prince+Philip |work=The Chemist and Druggist |date=22 June 1963 "|page=679}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Royal Borough prepares for a Royal Visit" at|work=Salford Reporter |date=14 June 1963 |pages=1–2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Duke of Edinburgh's Lancashire Tour |work=The Guardian |date=15 June 1963 1-2|page=4}}</ref>

==Interests==

Leslie Cussons was keenly interested in agriculture, and owned large farms in [[Derbyshire]] and the [[Isle of Man]].<ref>''Salford{{cite Reporter'',news September|title=Ellerslie 13Dairy 1963Farm "Sold |work=Country Life |date=25 November 1949 |pages=1603}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mr. L. Cussons dies after a short illness" |work=Salford Reporter |date=13 September 1963}}</ref>

LeslieHe was also a tennis enthusiast, having reached the early rounds of Wimbledon, and was president of the Lancashire County Tennis Association.<ref>''The{{cite Times'',news September 7 1963 "|title=Obituary Mr Leslie Cussons" at|work=The pageTimes |date=7 September 1963 |pages=10}}</ref><ref>''Swinton{{cite & Pendlebury Journal'',news September 11 1963 "|title=Soap Firm Director Dies Suddenly at 56" at|work=Swinton page& Pendlebury Journal |date=11 September 1963 |page=7}}</ref>

==Residence==

Leslie was also a tennis enthusiast, and was president of the Lancashire County Tennis Association.<ref>''The Times'', September 7 1963 "Obituary Mr Leslie Cussons" at page 10</ref><ref>''Swinton & Pendlebury Journal'', September 11 1963 "Soap Firm Director Dies Suddenly at 56" at page 7</ref>

He resided at Hale Bank Farm in [[Altrincham]], Cheshire (now [[Greater Manchester]]) near [[Manchester Airport]]<ref>''The London Gazette'', 9 March 1965. pg. 2483.</ref> and Ballacotch Manor in the [[Isle of Man]].<ref>{{cite news |title=50-acre estate for sale in Isle of Man |work=The Times |date=21 October 1963 |page=7}}</ref>

==References==

{{Reflist}}

<references/>

{{s-start box}}

{{succession box

| before=[[Alexander Tom Cussons]]

| title=Chairman of Cussons Sons & Co.

| years=1951-19631951–1963

| after=[[Alexander Stockton Cussons]]

}}

{{s-end box}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category{{DEFAULTSORT:1907 births|Cussons, Leslie]]}}

[[Category:19631907 deaths|Cussons, Lesliebirths]]

[[Category:People1963 from Swinton|Cussons, Lesliedeaths]]

[[Category:EnglishPeople businesspeople|Cussonsfrom Swinton, LeslieGreater Manchester]]

[[Category:20th-century English businesspeople]]