It is with deep sadness that the Society learnt of the passing of Denzil Spencer earlier this year. Many of the Society members will recall that Denzil was President of the Society in 1992-93.

Denzil was born at Blyth in North Nottinghamshire in 1943. After graduating in applied chemistry from Loughborough University of Technology, where he was awarded a 1st Class Honours Degree, he joined the Steetley Organisation Research Department in Worksop. He was later awarded a Ph.D. at Loughborough University after studying the high temperature properties of Magnesia. He continued his career at Steetley to become Technical Director in 1973 of the Ceramics Division. In 1980, he was appointed Managing Director of the Ceramics Division and then Operations Director for Steetley Refractories. Eventually, he transferred to Steetley Brick developing his career to coincide with the start of the Company’s major investment programme, to become Managing Director of Steetley Brick and Concrete Products in 1987.

He also had senior positions and Directorships in a number of external bodies, including the Ceramic Industries Certification Scheme, British Ceramic Research Limited, the Institute of Ceramics, the National Federation of Clay Industries and the Brick Development Association.

In his later career, from 1994 onwards, he was employed by Ibstock Brick and resigned as a Director in 2014.

The Society and its members pass on our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.