Tributes after death of Shropshire gunmaker
A Shropshire business and safari hunter who turned a 200-year-old Midlands gunmaking firm into a world-renowned iconic brand has died at the age of 60.
Simon Clode, from Eardington, near Bridgnorth, was chairman and managing director of Westley Richards & Co, of Birmingham.
He had a well-paid job as a commercial diver in the oil industry when his father Walter invited him to join the business in 1987.
In 1994 he became managing director, focusing the company on making top quality guns and rifles. The firm developed a worldwide clientele of the super-rich and discerning, including the Qatari royal family. Its hand-built tailor-made guns are not cheap. Its sidelock shotgun costs more than £60,000 even before options and extras are taken into account.
Mr Clode mixed the skills of the in-house gunmaking team with the precision engineering resources of sister company Westley Engineering and started to reintroduce the company's classic guns in a strategy which proved a great success.
Under his leadership the firm also branched out into accessories for the hunting and shooting set, including clothing, boots and its own range of leather goods.
Mr Clode died in hospital in Birmingham on December 21 after a battle with cancer.
His funeral will be held at St Peter's church, Chelmarsh, on January 5 at noon. There will also be a memorial service at Birmingham cathedral on February 17 at 2pm.
Former editor of the Shooting Times, John Gregson, described Mr Clode as a talented businessman and entrepreneur. "It takes a certain lightness of touch and nimbleness of mind to turn an arcane 200-year-old business into a global adventure and hunting outfitter that is known across the world," he said.
"That Simon Clode achieved this is testament to the man who harnessed his own sense of adventure and used it to build a business that was a first port of call for those whose sporting passions took them to the wildest places."
Westley Richards was founded in 1812. The company was bought by Walter Clode in 1957 who ran it for 37 years.
Simon Clode is survived by daughters Karena, Natasha, Sophie and Francesca. His wife Lucy died in 2005.
