Tony Cox, OBE, died on July 3

The long-term director general of the International Council of Hides Skins & Leather Associations Anthony Cox, OBE, died on July 3. Although in retirement, Tony still liked to keep his eye on what was going on in the leather industry he was so actively involved with for many years. In his long career in the hides and skins trade, he worked for many years for McConomy where he received a gold watch for long service. He met his second wife Carole when he visited the 'Gucci' tannery in Scotland where she was managing director. Because Tony was also undertaking work for Gucci, their marriage in 1980 meant that one of them had to leave the company's employment but a year later Cox moved to set up his own trading company Andaco in his wife's native country Scotland. In all, he served more than 50 years in the industry, retiring after the 75th annual general meeting of ICHSLTA which preceded the APLF in Hong Kong in 2004. He was initially appointed treasurer of the international council in 1983, a position which was merged with his later role as director general which he held from 1990. Before that he served twice as president of the British association, in 1969 and again in 1981-83. He was a trade arbitor for 33 years and he regularly advised on trade matters. In 1994 he was appointed secretary general of the former British trade association SHALTA where he also served as a council member for 35 years. He acted as their spokesman throughout the BSE crisis and was also very much involved with the Foot and Mouth outbreak. In 1998 he was elevated as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his services to the leather industry. He was further honoured in 2001 when he was the recipient of the Frank Johnson Award for outstanding services to the industry which is given by the ICHSLTA. At all times during his involvement with the administration of SHALTA and ICHSLTA his wife Carole worked alongside him. They made a powerful team.