The Board of HRP has announced the death of chairman, Kingsley Curtis, on 3 September after a long battle with cancer. 

Kingsley was always closely involved with the company and took a keen interest in all aspects of its development. He had recently undertaken a tour of HRP’s nationwide chain of service centres to celebrate its 70^th anniversary.

Group managing director, Mandy Pilgrim, said: “HRP has always been a family company, much noted for its long serving employees. Kingsley has touched a great many lives in his long career and his loss will be deeply felt by many, both in HRP and the wider industry.” 

After training in engineering and sales, Kingsley became managing director of HRP in 1964 on the death of his father who had set up the business in 1945. He built HRP into one of the UK’s leading wholesalers of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and a first choice distribution partner of world-leading manufacturers. 

Despite his loss, the shareholders have every confidence that the management team and staff will continue to develop HRP’s long term future. 

Per Bertland, ceo of Beijer Ref, the largest shareholder besides the Curtis family, said: “Kingsley has built a sound and exciting business. We look forward to further development of HRP and stand behind the management at this sad time.”

HRP’s thoughts are with Kingsley’s wife, Yvonne, and their family.