William Garrett (businessman)
Sir William Herbert Garrett, MBE (13 March 1900 – 20 August 1977) was a British industrial chemist and businessman. He was born in Wrexham, the son of William Henry Garrett and Mary Elizabeth Odgers. He went to Grove Park School and the University of Liverpool, earning a BSc in 1921 and a PhD in 1923. He served in the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force during World War I.
In 1922 he joined Montanto Chemicals and stayed there for nearly 40 years. He was manager of the Ruabon works, joined the Board in 1935, and became Director of Production, a role focused on maintaining good relations with workers. He became active in workplace safety and employer relations, serving as President of the British Safety Council and of the British Employers' Confederation (1958–60). In 1965 this federation helped form the Confederation of British Industry. He was also Chairman of the Association of British Chemical Manufacturers (1959–61) and a member of the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal (1960–65).
The Times described him as a leader in industrial organisations whose knowledge was highly valued, and as a brilliant industrial chemist. He was awarded the MBE in 1944 and was knighted in 1958. He died on 20 August 1977.
In 1925 he married Marion Birchall, daughter of Joseph Henry Houghton. They had a son and a daughter; Marion died in 1967.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 08:33 (CET).