Dr. Roy Lofthouse BTech PhD MRCS CChem
Master 2020–2021
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Dr Roy Lofthouse was born in York and educated at Nunthorpe Grammar School for boys from 1960-1967. Further education was at the University of Bradford from 1967-1974 from which an honours degree in chemistry was obtained followed by the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy for research into the Synthesis and Chemistry of Heterocyclic Nitrogen compounds. Elected as a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 1975 and registered as a Chartered Chemist.
He began his career in the chemical industry as a development chemist with Courtaulds in Gateshead in 1974 working on polymers for ships coatings. This was followed by a move to British Oxygen Chemicals at Chester Le Street, as R and D manager. This was the first move out of the lab itself into management, achieving significant contributions to the driving of value from the businesses technology. It was at this time that growth of the business was dependent on export markets and new chemistry and so Roy was ideally placed to offer strength in both sales and marketing as well as chemistry when International Paper acquired BOC (the world’s largest paper manufacturer) in 1981, International Paper was headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida requiring Roy to visit regularly. More international travel arose due to Roy’s appointment in 1985 to European Sales and marketing manager This role eventually lead to his appointment as European Oleochemicals Business Unit Director which brought him back to managing the technology alongside the commercial activities. Throughout his career he has been very active in trade and regulatory organizations, playing a part in establishing routes to market for new and existing Chemicals. He has been Chairman of the European Pine Chemical Producers Association, Chairman and founder member of the Hydrocarbon and Rosin Resins Manufacturers Association, Governor and member of the Board of Directors of King’s School, Tynemouth and a Fellow of the Woodard Corporation. He has presented papers at World Oleochemical Conferences and International Pine Chemicals annual global conferences and has worked in chemicals derived from Tall Oil (from pine trees) and oleochemicals since 1975 until retirement in 2008. He discovered his links to the meat trade when researching his family history and found out that his father and uncle had been born at number 9 the Shambles above the butchers shop run by master butcher great grandfather John. In 1905 John lived at number 43 and ran shops at numbers 35 and 37. Ggrandfather and also a master butcher, William, came to York from Tadcaster in 1850 to marry and established butchery and cattle dealing business in Skeldergate and Peasholme Green. William’s father, Christopher ran a butchers shop in Tadcaster east of the bridge. The site for Loft houses buildings is to be found next to Jacobs Well, the Gild Hall for the butchers in Trinity Lane. The plaque bearing the name can still be seen. Ggrandfather, John and Grandfather George, ran a carting business and meat and tripe sales from this yard whilst living in the White House on the Mount. The meat and carting businesses continued to operate from the Shambles until 1940, when George retired. As well as an active member of the Gild he is a member of the Yorkshire Society, has been President of Medicals Rugby Union Club (and still stands on the touchline most Saturdays during the season). He was a very keen fencer for many years, once winning the Yorkshire Epee Championship. He was a member of Harlequins Fencing club for 40 years until its closure. He owes a debt to fencing, having met his wife to be at the University Fencing club. Roy was a keen sailor until having to give up the rigours of the North Sea. He is passionately interested in the History of York and is keen on family history. Roy is married to Marilyn, a teacher for 40 years, they have 2 children and a grandson. |
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