AW Robson 1941 - 2008
It is with the greatest sadness we have today to announcing the death of Tony Robson, Chairman of
R Robson Limited, following a fall and a serious head injury. Tony was the eldest son of Rob Robson and joined the Company in 1971, having spent the early years of his working life in London Advertising agencies. When Guinot became available nationally, Mr Robson needed help, so Tony left a promising career in advertising to join him in the business. The following year R Robson Limited was created.
As the youngest member of the newly formed team Tony was expected to be involved in all areas. He literally learnt the business from the bottom up. In fact his first responsibility was Packing and Despatch. In the early seventies if you received a parcel from us, Tony would have wrapped it.
Five years later and Tony became our first sales rep. It was a role he relished; he loved meeting potential and existing customers, selling both the concept and products to them. He loved people, and never forgot a face. In later years he always delighted in catching up with 'old faces.' Everyone who met him, in those days as now, could not fail to be won over by his boyish smile and charm that together with his continuing enthusiasm for the beauty business was always infectious. He was a great ambassador, working within an industry he believed in. He was passionate about Guinot products, regular use of which, we believe contributed in some large part to his youthful looks!
Over the next eighteen years he worked closely with Rob as Sales and Marketing Director until his father died in 1994, and Tony assumed the mantle of Chairman.
Under his direction, during the nineties, the Company, moved rapidly from being a small company to a medium sized business with its current workforce of approximately eighty. He was a kind and generous man, always happy to stop and talk. His door was never shut. In short he was the kind of boss everyone wishes for, but only few of us are lucky enough to have actually had.
Over the last three years Tony has taken a backseat in the Company, happy to let it be run by his directors and senior management team. Last year, having bought an apartment, with Audrey, his partner, in Cannes, he was looking forward to splitting his time this year between the South of France and Sunninghill.
We are devastated by his death and all our sympathies are with Audrey, for her tragic loss. The funeral is to be a private affair for friends, family and employees only. However, a memorial service, honouring Tony's life will be arranged as soon as possible and full details will be announced, when known, on this website.
Business, in accordance with Tony's wishes, will continue as usual. For anyone wishing to make a donation in Tony's memory, may we suggest Alcohelp, a registered charity dedicated to preventing alcohol abuse through information and education.
It can be no secret, to those who knew him well, that over the years, Tony suffered with alcoholism. As a company we feel it appropriate to recognise this, and support a charity which helps others affected by the problems of alcohol abuse. Donations, if desired, please to www.alcohelp.com
Ros Grace Anne Eckersley
22nd February 2008