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Leigh On Sea News. Leigh businessman’s Tributes – TRIBUTES have been paid to a respected former Leigh businessman, after he died suddenly while on holiday.
Leigh businessman’s Tributes - TRIBUTES have been paid to a respected former Leigh businessman, after he died suddenly while on holiday.
TRIBUTES have been paid to a respected former Leigh businessman, after he died suddenly while on holiday.
Martin Gibbons served as the driving force behind JEGS Electrical, a wholesale distributor specializing in high-quality electrical and DIY accessories, which he had founded on April 20, 1970, in Leigh.
Mr Gibbons’ profound influence on the retail industry stemmed from his unwavering commitment to both suppliers and retailers: a dedication that did not go unnoticed by the industry.
JEGS received prestigious accolades, including being named Supplier of the Year four times by the British Independent Retailer Association (Bira) and once by the British Hardware Federation.
Mr Gibbons’ impact extended beyond mere awards and honours; he played a pivotal role in Bira and Bira Direct, serving as a prominent sponsor and collaborating closely to advance the interests of independent retailers.
His guiding philosophy was simple yet impactful: “Always honour your financial commitments to your suppliers.”
In 2007, JEGS faced a devastating setback when a fire reduced their operations to ashes. Mr Gibbons demonstrated resilience and leadership by making the bold choice to rebuild the company from scratch and within five weeks, JEGS was up and running again.
Mr Gibbons’ daughter Eloise said: “He was a great role model to myself and my sister Helga. He always pushed us to do our best. He had been involved in retail since the age of 10, working at his aunt and uncle’s off licence,” she commented.
“He was naturally gifted salesman, but also knew how to buy. Despite being dyslexic, which wasn’t something recognised when he was at school, he could work out prices and costs for things, how to sell them very quickly and knew just what his customers wanted. It was a pleasure to work alongside him and learn all he knew.”
In 2017, Mr Gibbons and Eloise made the difficult decision to sell JEGS.
Mr Gibbons sadly died from a heart attack while on holiday with his wife Lyn and some friends in Marbella in June.
His funeral was held at the beginning of August.
Jeff Moody, Managing Director for Bira Direct, added: “Martin was an industry stalwart who passionately advocated for the cause of independent retailers.
“His legacy will forever remain a beacon of inspiration, and his contributions will continue to shape the industry’s landscape.”
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