21.11.2011

Simon Knott 1931-2011

Simon Knott a UK based stockbroker and fund manager associated with the UK crane and general rental market for many years, died yesterday aged 80.

Simon Harold John Arthur Knott joined stockbroker Greene & Co as senior research partner in 1963 and from then through the 1980's, he led the company's involvement in raising capital for plant hire companies in the UK.

He began researching the rental industry shortly after joining the company and began writing the 'Investment in Plant Hire' report, which Greene & Co published annually, and in some years a half yearly supplement. At that time the publication was widely referred to as 'The Greene Report'.

He was also a non-executive director of Vibroplant - now Vp - for some years, Greene’s having been the broker for the company when it went public in 1973.

He also helped a number of crane hire companies raise capital and go public, including Hewden Stuart and G W. Sparrow & Sons.

As senior partner at Greene & Co he was involved with the company’s merger with Greig Middleton & Co in 1988 and he became deputy chairman of the merged business. The annual look at the UK plant hire industry was continued under the Grieg Middleton banner, and has since morphed, in a much changed and modernised format, into the ‘Plant Hire Investment Report’, produced by Catherine Stratton who for many years worked with Knott, while a research partner at Greene's and a director at Greigs.

Stratton says of Knott: “Simon Knott pioneered the financial analysis of plant hire companies and promoted what was then an embryonic sector to the City. He recognised the potential for hire at a time when the policy of plant ownership still dominated the construction industry.”

Knott also devoted considerable time and energy to speaking at regional gatherings of the CPA and other equipment related bodies, about the financial management of plant hire companies. He also gave his advice freely to a number of small hirers whenever they approached him.

Funeral arrangements

Simon Knott's funeral will be held at 12.30 pm on Tuesday 29th November at St Peter's Church, Black Lion Lane, Hammersmith, London W6.