Hugely respected former Shiloh chairman dies

Edmund Gartside

Former Chairman and Managing Director of Royton-based Shiloh PLC, Edmund Travis Gartside, has died peacefully at home in Rochdale, aged 84, surrounded by his family.

As Chairman and MD of Shiloh PLC and its various incarnations for nearly 40 years, Edmund dedicated his professional life to cotton spinning and health care supplies.

Throughout the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s he held senior positions on trade bodies including the British Textiles Employers’ Association, the Council of British Cotton Textiles, Eurocoton, and the International Textile Manufacturers’ Federation, campaigning vigorously on behalf of the Lancashire textiles industry and its workers.

He was on the Council of the Institute of Directors for many years, and Chairman of its Manchester branch.

Rising to the rank of Major in the 5th Battalion XX Lancashire Fusiliers (T.A.) he never lost his love for the regiment and its community after leaving the army in 1968.

He was President of the Rochdale & District Fusiliers Association for over 35 years, playing an active role in Rochdale’s Royal British Legion, of which he was President for two periods in the 1980s and ‘90s.

In his retirement he played a key role in founding The Fusilier Museum, Bury, remaining a member of its Board of Trustees.

He was Deputy Lieutenant, County of Greater Manchester, 1990-2008, and High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, 1995-1996.

Edmund is survived by his wife Valerie, his children from his first marriage, Michael and Vanessa, six grandchildren and one great child, three step children, Karen, Malcolm and Deborah, seven step-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren.

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