02.11.2004

Hanson dies at 82

The founder of Hanson plc died at his home near Newbury, Berkshire, with his son Robert at his side. James, later, Lord Hanson, was born in Huddersfield in 1922, He set up the Hanson company in 1964 with close friend and fellow Yorkshire man Lord Gordon White, which was to go on to become one of the world's largest conglomerates.
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Lord James Hanson died yesterday

A series of audacious takeovers over the next three decades saw company cover everything from cranes to batteries and, in its heyday, was valued at around £10bn with a workforce of more than 90,000

Hanson was one of the first British businessmen to earn more than a million pounds a year and was once engaged to Hollywood legend Audrey Hepburn. After selling Grove, the company was split up with the Hanson names remaining with a building products company. Hanson retired in 1997. Lord Hanson's wife, Lady Geraldine, died from leukaemia in February