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Tributes to former boss, 68
Tuesday 7th October 2008, 11:28AM BST.
Tributes have been paid to a Powys man who helped build fashion firm Laura Ashley into a global high street giant.
Former Laura Ashley managing director Meirion Rowlands, of Carno, died at his home last week, aged 68.
He was first employed by the firm as it was thought his skill as a sheep shearer would make him a good pattern cutter.
Derrick Pugh, a former Laura Ashley manager, said today: “He was the driving force behind the manufacturing side of the company and I don’t think the company would have done as well so quickly if it wasn’t for him.”
Jane Ashley, daughter of founders Laura and Bernard Ashley, said his hard work had helped the company to become what it was.
“My mother regarded him with great respect and fondness,” she said. “They worked very well together as a team. He always got on very well with my father as well.”
Mr Rowlands’s funeral is at Craig Fryn Chapel, Carno, tomorrow, at 2pm.
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