Alexander Stockton Cussons
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Alexander Stockton Cussons | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 December 1914 Salford, England, UK |
| Died | 1986 (aged 71) South Africa |
| Alma mater | Chillon College, Villeneuve, Vaud, Switzerland[1] |
| Occupations | Businessman, Conservationist |
| Spouse |
Wendy Grace Johnston
(m. 1948) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Alex T. Cussons (1875–1951) Emily Cussons (1875–1957) |
Alexander Stockton Cussons (1914–1986) was the Chairman of Cussons Group, the largest independent soap manufacturer in Britain. Alexander continued manufacturing of the famous brand Cussons Imperial Leather, and many other products under the Cussons label, including 1001 Carpet Cleaner.
Born in Salford, England to Alexander Tom Cussons (1875–1951) and his wife Emily Jane Cussons (née Kidd; 1875–1957).[citation needed]
Career
Alexander Cussons worked at the Cussons Company from 1931 until his retirement in 1968. Before becoming chairman of the main Cussons Company, he was chairman of the South African subsidiary. South Africa was the first overseas market for the Cussons brand. In 1963, Alexander succeeded his elder brother, Leslie (1907-1963), to become chairman of the Cussons Company. As chairman, Alexander established new factories in Jamaica and Ethiopia.[2] He continued the manufacture of the flagship brand Cussons Imperial Leather and other Cussons branded products. He obtained the rights to manufacture and distribute the German brand Badedas in Britain. Badedas is a bath additive containing extract of horse chestnuts. The launch party was held at the Savoy Hotel.[3] The Badedas brand remains popular in Britain today and has since been acquired by Unilever.[4]
In 1968, he suffered a heart attack which he survived. Subsequently he retired as Chairman of Cussons[5] and moved to Durban, South Africa. This marked the end of a line of family chairmen which went back for over sixty years. Cussons chose as his successor Michael Bucks. Bucks was well qualified for the position. He had extensive experience in company finance, having served as a director for the Rothschild family business.[6] He became a director of several companies following his retirement from Cussons, including the Sylko Paper Company, manufacturing cards, paper and table products.[citation needed]
Conservation Work
Cussons supported conservation efforts and donated land in Shetland, including Ronas Hill (the highest point in Shetland), to become a national nature reserve.[7][8] He was also a member of the World Wildlife Fund and knew the leading conservationist Sir Peter Scott. He wished to preserve vulnerable and endangered species and considered starting a breeding program in South Africa to help against the threat of extinction.[9]
Cussons Roses
The popular 'Wendy Cussons' Rose was named after Alexander's wife, Wendy. The rose was bred by C. Gregory & Son. Ltd. of Nottingham[10] and released in 1956. The Wendy Cussons rose was globally very successful over many years, winning awards, and is still available in 2023, over 60 years after its introduction. The rose has been depicted on national postage stamps for Hungary, Mongolia and Bhutan. Another rose, Julie Cussons, a salmon-coloured floribunda bred by Gareth Fryer of Knutsford, was named after Alexander's grandchild, Julie, who died at the age of two in 1985.