Winter 2023 Report of the Sir George Dowty Memorial Committee

Pershore

This small Worcestershire town was the place where Sir George Dowty was born, educated, and is buried.

The Committee are working with the authorities in the town to arrange the erection of a statue of Sir George Dowty and the planned erection date is early 2024.

On the 6th of April 2024 there is to be a Dowty Organ Recital in Pershore Abbey at 3pm.

Pershore Abbey

The guest recitalist is the distinguished organist at Dean Close School, Cheltenham and Director of Tewkesbury Abbey’s Cantorum Mr Simon Bell.

There will be short speeches regarding Sir George Dowty’s life and a contribution by Mr Peter Cryws who played the piano in the Dowty canteen during the Second World War with the intention of raising morale.

Please email Mr Will Mundy on willmundy331@icloud.com to confirm attendance; there is no fee payable – numbers are limited.

Dowty Success

The two papers issued by the Committee to date detailing the Dowty contribution to the Battle of Britain and to mining safety have met with great enthusiasm.

A third paper is planned to be issued in the new year.

This paper will detail the personal characteristics of the four Dowty Chairman who led the business over its 60-year life and is intended to be used by business schools.

Over the life of the business it never incurred a loss or allowed borrowings to reach high levels, it was a model of financial prudence.

The gentlemen who opened the first set of books in 1931 – L T P Banbury – served until his retirement in 1976.

The first auditor – Lionel Barber – became the Group Financial Adviser in 1954 and served until 1980.

A business started in 1931 with £50 was acquired in 1992 by TI for £0.5 bn

There are many lessons to be learnt from the huge success of the Dowty Group.

Sir George Dowty’s Career.

In 1972 Sir George Dowty summarised his career on a single sheet of paper – it is a fascinating read.

Copies can be obtained from Mr Will Mundy.

2024 Calendar

Sir George Dowty graduated from an Austin 7 to big American cars early in his career.

In December 1972 the Cotswold Life magazine featured him standing next to his beloved Chevrolet Impala at Arle Court, Cheltenham.

Mr Stewart Davies provided his 1959 Cadillac Coupe Deville for the Dowty Reunion Day in 2022, it bore the registration GD1 and was parked where Sir George Dowty parked – a breathtaking site!