Obituary: Howard Davies, businessman

HOWARD Davies, who has died at 98, spent 50 years with one of Leeds’ leading advertising agencies, Design Advertising Ltd.

The agency was particularly well known for its involvement in the naming and launch of Asda Stores, its work with Cravens Mints in the 60s, the expansion of Morrisons from a small West Yorkshire supermarket chain to a strong regional operator in the 70s, and the launch of Yorkshire Tea in the 80s.

To celebrate his 90th birthday in 2012 Howard was presented with an award ‘Above and Beyond the Call of Duty” by Asda’s then Chief Executive Andy Clarke, for his services to the retail giant.

The youngest of four boys, Howard was born in August 1922 in the village of Little Fenton, near Church Fenton, before the family’s move to Leeds in 1928. In his teens he was a keen cricketer and played for Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club, the oldest Cricket Club in Leeds. He left school at 15 having won a scholarship to Leeds College of Art before joining a local printer as a graphic artist.

In 1939 Howard was baptised into the Brethren Church at Fenton Street in Leeds and for the next 80 years his Christian faith was foremost in the life he led, and the decisions he made. In his 20s he established the Leeds Male Voice Gospel Choir which he conducted for five years, touring the UK and performing to packed venues.

In 1940 he enlisted in a Non-Combatant Corps based in Denby, South Wales, before a serious injury led to him being discharged. I

In 1945, following a short spell with Leeds based packaging company Roberts Mart, Howard took up a graphic artist position in the studio of a Leeds based advertising agency. Little did he realise that he would spend the next 50 years with this company, Design Advertising Ltd., making the transition over the years from artist to Managing Director, then Chairman.

Howard married in 1948 in Glasgow before making a new home in North Leeds. In 1985 he moved to Ilkley before retiring in 1995.

During his time in Leeds Howard was a keen Rotarian, helped set up Leeds Flower Fund Homes and in its early years was responsible for fundraising activity for Wheatfields Hospice.

He is survived by his three children, eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren