15.02.2012

Ken Richardson 1931 - 2012

Ken Richardson, founder of Aliscaff and a life-long champion of the alloy scaffold tower industry passed away on Sunday aged 80.

Richardson was a former chairman of the Hire Association of Europe – the UK tool and general rental association and of Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association (PASMA) PASMA council member and recipient of a PASMA life time achievement award.

PASMA has published a tribute to Ken Richardson that sums up his achievements far better than we can. It is published in full below.

“With the death of Ken Richardson on the 13th of February, PASMA has lost one of its most committed, knowledgeable and enthusiastic supporters. Almost from its inception, he devoted a significant part of both his personal and working life to the advancement of towers and the development of the association. A long-time member of council and a former chairman, he served on both the technical and training committees and was subsequently presented with PASMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Originally a London policeman, he changed career early on and founded Access Plant Hire & Sales Ltd, specialising in and pioneering the hire of towers. Eventually deciding to manufacture his own product range, he established Aliscaff Ltd in 1975 and afterwards joined PASMA when the organisation consisted exclusively of manufacturers.

Over the years that followed, Ken Richardson became a prominent and influential figure in PASMA and played a major role in helping to introduce a number of innovations, in particular the first PASMA training course. He was also instrumental in helping shape the Association’s role in driving tower standards and delivering best practice, with the emphasis on safety.

Colin Wright, managing director of Aliscaff said: “Every organisation, especially in its early and formative years, needs people who are willing to devote the time and effort to nurture and develop it. Ken was one such champion who loved the industry and was determined to see it, and the Association, grow and prosper. His enthusiasm was infectious.”

Everyone at PASMA - the secretariat, council, committee members and member organisations extend their sincere condolences to his wife, Margaret, the Richardson family and, of course, to everyone at Aliscaff.”
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Ken Richardson receives a PASMA lifetime achievement award in 2006

We do not yet have any details of funeral arrangements, but will add them this article as soon as we have them.