Keith Wear
Retired textile executive, Keith Wear, studied Textiles from 1951 to 1958. In1959 he became a part time lecturer in Textiles. He was made an Honorary Fellow of Bradford College in 1986.
Keith first came to the College in 1951 to study
Textiles. He continued these studies until 1958
when in his final year at the College he was
awarded 2 prizes for yarn and cloth design in
the International competitions of The Textile
Institute and one prize from the Bradford Textile
Society. Shortly afterwards Keith was appointed
as a part-time Lecturer in the Textile Department.
In 1960 Keith qualified as a Charted Textile
Technologist and Associate of The Textile
Institute.
Keith’s career in the Bradford worsted
spinning and manufacturing trade flourished,
becoming the Managing Director of 3 textile
manufacturing companies followed by
appointment as Managing Director of Robert
Hirst & Co Ltd, the large clothing group within
Carrington Viyella Plc and then to Parkland
Group as Managing Director of their clothing
manufacturing division, Maitland Menswear Ltd.
Throughout his career links with the College
remained important. He joined the College
Textile Advisory Committee, and shortly
afterwards became Chairman, a role he held for
many years. College rules changed so that to be
Chairman you also had to be a College governor.
So due to heavy business commitments Keith
had to stand down but was able to remain
Deputy Chairman.
“Shortly afterwards, I was appointed Chairman of
a group set-up to examine the present equipment
in the Textile Department and recommend
disposals and acquisitions to progress the
facilities for teaching modern techniques. The
sub committee report was adopted. When the
Principal advised that no funds were available
for acquisition of new equipment I proposed an
appeal be made. This appeal launched by the
Lord Mayor with Mr Roy Stroud as Chairman,
raised £75,000 in cash or equipment and
machinery donations from industry.”
In 1986 Keith received a much deserved accolade
for all his hard work and fund raising. At the
College Award Ceremony held on 12th December
1986 he received an Honorary Fellowship.
Keith encouraged fellow businessmen to cooperate
with the College and for many years
supported the Textile department through its
highs and lows. Keith is now enjoying retirement in
North Lincolnshire but keeps in touch with many
former colleagues and friends in the industry.
Photograph supplied by Keith Wear