PEOPLE NEWS
Tribute to Tony Line, Founder And Chairman Of London Swimming Pool Company
The pool industry has lost a leading light, following the announcement that Tony Line, who founded London Swimming Pool Company (LSPC) 30 years ago, has died aged 67. Tony leaves behind one of the most successful swimming pool businesses in the UK and a lasting imprint on the industry. Tony’s passion and commitment to quality and professionalism in the pool industry is legendary.
Chris Hayes, Managing Director of SPATA said: “Tony was a fantastic person to have on SPATA’s side, always supportive, but constructively critical when appropriate. He was passionate about standards in his own company but still had time to support the industry. I remember him writing an article for SPN many years ago in which he said that it was important to contribute to the industry and the best way of doing that was to be in SPATA to make your voice heard. Tony was as good as his word – he sat on SPATA’s Technical Committee and helped contribute to the revision of the 2010 Standards. “He was also passionate about standards for other members and agreed to be a SPATA inspector – he completed training and undertook several inspections of other members’ companies. He always looked forward to receiving an inspection from one of his colleagues, although trying to find something to improve could be challenging for his peers!
“He was excellent at submitting entries for
the SPATA Awards and LSPC won a steady flow of awards, including being the joint recipient of the Dick Millward Trophy for Pool Contractor of the Year in 2009. When not entering awards, Tony also took valuable time out of his business to be a judge. When asked if he would like to be considered for a nomination to be BSPF President, he modestly declined, preferring to stay out of the limelight!”
Bob Kent, Managing Director of MSI who knew Tony for over 40 years described him as “A warm and gregarious man who was a pleasure to do business with. He was extremely good at his job, was always thinking and planning ahead – a true entrepreneur. He built LSPC into one of the
most presitigious companies in the industry and has left it in excellent shape for his team to take forward.” Tony had over 40 years’ experience in the pool industry. He started his pool career in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as a director of a new venture, where he opened the showroom, purchased equipment and trained staff from many different countries.
Having returned to the UK, in 1984 Tony formed LSPC at home in Roehampton. From those early days Tony began to develop relationships with suppliers. Patrick Thorpe, Certikin’s Chairman said: “In 1987, Tony placed the very first UK order for a Roldeck automatic cover to install on a 10 x 5m below ground pool; someone had to be the guinea
pig and Tony was always open to new ideas. The Roldeck automatic cover system has been one of the largest and most successful products in our portfolio and Tony played a part in this success story.”
By 1996 LSPC needed dedicated premises and moved to offices in Southfields. This allowed further increases in staff, enabling them to build more pools and take on additional service contracts. Today LSPC has 25 staff who recently moved to even larger offices in New Malden to accommodate expansion. Tony achieved his dream of building a successful luxury pool company. Jamie Smith, Managing Director at LSPC said: “We’ve had the privilege of working for one of the pioneers of the UK pool industry. Not only was Tony extremely knowledgeable on all technical aspects of pools, his understanding of how to connect with clients through marketing and PR gave us quite an advantage in our development. With Tony at the helm, we introduced innovative products and processes, for example, bringing design in-house enabled us to launch into the lucrative high-end sector working closely with architects and interior designers. Steady growth ensued over the next ten years, taking LSPC from a six digit turnover company into a multi-million pound business. Tony had a very caring nature, borne out by the high staff retention in the company, coupled with huge generosity. He was a keen supporter of charities, helping local groups as well as staff fundraising for the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research. He also donated £20,000 worth of labour and materials to build the award winning Cancer Research pool at the Chelsea Flower Show with TV presenter and garden designer Andy Sturgeon. “Tony was proud of the team’s contribution in building the company. Just months ago he and I marvelled at the growth as we planned the move – I’m glad that he saw the team settled in the new office. Tony will be missed by everyone at LSPC and many in the pool industry.”
London Swimming Pool Company 020 8605 1255
www.londonswimmingpools.com
New Business Leads To Four New Appointments
A number of new contracts won by swimming pool specialists, F T Leisure, have led to promotions and appointments at their Stockport head office. Marcel Potter has been appointed as Administration Assistant in the Projects
20 December 2014 SPN
Department and Paul Cole is the new Purchase Ledger Clerk. Theresa Howard has been promoted to Finance Manager and Caroline Horsley becomes Senior Administrator with the company.
“I’d like to congratulate
Theresa and Caroline on their promotions and we are very pleased to welcome our new employees,” said F T Leisure director, Simon Whittingham. “I’m sure that they will all make valuable contributions to the company especially in the
light of our recent levels of new business which are testimony to the high standards of F T Leisure’s work.”
F T Leisure 0161 494 5785
www.ftleisure.co.uk
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
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