The inspirational man who’s still running a Corby company AGED 90

John Neesham, who is still running Strathcarrons in Corby after 25 years

A Corby factory owner who celebrated his 90th birthday during lockdown has been praised by his staff as an inspiration.

Nonagenarian John Neesham runs Strathcarrons embroidery factory in Trevithick Road on the Willowbrook Industrial Estate East.

He started the firm about 25 years ago when he was already at retirement age and his daughter Laura later became a co-director.

Strathcarrons provides a range of high-precision military embroidery

Stratchcarrons is a proud holder of a Ministry of Defence royalties licence and provides embroidered items for Army training centres in Pirbright and Winchester, the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, the Gurkha Regiment, Reme, the Household Cavalry, The Royal Engineers Corps Enterprises and a range of other regiments.

They also supply a huge range of other items including branded rugby shirts, sports and leisurewear and school wear.

During the lockdown the factory closed for two months, but despite the risk to his own health John, who was 89 at the time, went into the office everyday to check on things and made sure everything would be in place for the return to work of his loyal staff.

Claire Lacey, who works in the company’s accounts department, said: “We did return to work on May 26 and John celebrated his 90th Birthday on June 3.

“Staff wanted to show John their appreciation for all he has done by giving him a socially distanced birthday surprise at the factory.

“Although John is now 90 he shows no sighs of slowing down and is just as enthusiastic about his business as he was 25 years ago.

“He drives up and down the country trying to drum up new business to keep us all in work, for which we are all grateful.”

John lives in a quiet village just outside of Corby but has no intention of retiring just yet. There are nine staff at the factory, some of whom have been there for more than 20 years.

”People are very loyal to John because this is such a wonderful place to work,” said Claire.

”It’s rare these days for an employer to care so much about his staff and we feel lucky to work here.

”We just wanted to say thank you to him for all he does for us.“