Norman Adsetts
Encyclopedia
Sir Norman Adsetts OBE
(born 6 March 1931) transformed SIG plc
, which he joined in 1966 and ran as Managing Director from 1970 to 1996, from a small family firm into the biggest distributor of insulating materials in Europe.
in Sheffield
and at The Queen's College, Oxford
. After undertaking his National Service
in the Royal Air Force
he joined Fibreglass Ltd
as a graduate trainee in 1955. In 1966 he became a Director at Sheffield Insulating Company: he went on to be Managing Director in 1970, Chairman in 1985 and Life President in 1996. He transformed the business from a small family firm into the biggest distributor of insulating materials in Europe.
He has held a number of other positions including Chairman of the Yorkshire and Humberside Region of the CBI from 1989 to 1991, Chairman of the Sheffield Partnership Limited from 1987 to 1992, Deputy Chairman of Sheffield Development Corporation
from 1991 to 1997, Chairman of the Board of Governors at Sheffield Hallam University
from 1993 to 1999, Chairman of Sheffield Theatres Trust Ltd from 1996 to 2005, Trustee of the Hillsborough Disaster
Appeal Fund from 1989 to 1996, Chairman of Sheffield First for Investment from 1999 to 2002, Chairman of the Kelham River-side Development Agency from 1998 to 2002, Chairman of the Governors of Mount St Mary's College
from 1999 to date, Member of the Hallam Diocese Finance Board from 1998 to 2004 and Trustee of Research Autism from 2007 to date.
He was awarded the OBE
in the 1988 New Year Honours list and knight
ed in 1999.
in April 2009.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 6 March 1931) transformed SIG plc
SIG plc
SIG plc is a British-based international supplier of insulation, roofing, commercial interiors and specialist construction products. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:...
, which he joined in 1966 and ran as Managing Director from 1970 to 1996, from a small family firm into the biggest distributor of insulating materials in Europe.
Early years
Born in 1931, the son of Ernest Norman Adsetts, Adsetts was educated at King Edward VII SchoolKing Edward VII School (Sheffield)
King Edward VII School is a secondary school and language college located in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. KES, named after the reigning monarch, was formed in 1905 when Wesley College was merged with Sheffield Royal Grammar School on the site of the former on Glossop Road...
in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
and at The Queen's College, Oxford
The Queen's College, Oxford
The Queen's College, founded 1341, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Queen's is centrally situated on the High Street, and is renowned for its 18th-century architecture...
. After undertaking his National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
he joined Fibreglass Ltd
Pilkington
Pilkington Group Limited is a multinational glass manufacturing company headquartered in St Helens, United Kingdom. It is a subsidiary of the Japan-based NSG Group...
as a graduate trainee in 1955. In 1966 he became a Director at Sheffield Insulating Company: he went on to be Managing Director in 1970, Chairman in 1985 and Life President in 1996. He transformed the business from a small family firm into the biggest distributor of insulating materials in Europe.
He has held a number of other positions including Chairman of the Yorkshire and Humberside Region of the CBI from 1989 to 1991, Chairman of the Sheffield Partnership Limited from 1987 to 1992, Deputy Chairman of Sheffield Development Corporation
Sheffield Development Corporation
The Sheffield Development Corporation was created in 1988 to oversee the urban regeneration of the Lower Don Valley area of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.-History:...
from 1991 to 1997, Chairman of the Board of Governors at Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University is a higher education institution in South Yorkshire, England, based on two sites in Sheffield. City Campus is located in the city centre, close to Sheffield railway station, and Collegiate Crescent Campus is about two miles away, adjacent to Ecclesall Road in...
from 1993 to 1999, Chairman of Sheffield Theatres Trust Ltd from 1996 to 2005, Trustee of the Hillsborough Disaster
Hillsborough disaster
The Hillsborough disaster was a human crush that occurred on 15 April 1989 at Hillsborough, a football stadium, the home of Sheffield Wednesday F.C. in Sheffield, England, resulting in the deaths of 96 people, and 766 being injured, all fans of Liverpool F.C....
Appeal Fund from 1989 to 1996, Chairman of Sheffield First for Investment from 1999 to 2002, Chairman of the Kelham River-side Development Agency from 1998 to 2002, Chairman of the Governors of Mount St Mary's College
Mount St Mary's College
Mount St Mary's College is an independent coeducational boarding school situated at Spinkhill, Derbyshire, near Sheffield, England. It was founded in 1842 by Fr Randal Lythgoe, the Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic religious order commonly known as the Jesuits. The...
from 1999 to date, Member of the Hallam Diocese Finance Board from 1998 to 2004 and Trustee of Research Autism from 2007 to date.
He was awarded the OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in the 1988 New Year Honours list and knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
ed in 1999.
Family
He married Eve Stefanuti in 1956 and they have one daughter and one son. They also have 8 grandchildren. As two of his grandchildren are autistic, Sir Adsetts is a large contributor to autism foundations and became Chairman of Autism PlusAutism Plus
Autism Plus is a charity based in Yorkshire providing care and support for people with autism, learning disabilities and mental health difficulties. Autism Plus is a registered charity No.518591...
in April 2009.