The construction industry has paid tribute to 73-year-old Christopher Seddon who passed away on Saturday 1 August after a long battle with cancer.
Mr Seddon, who lived in Worsley, Salford, was last year was awarded an MBE for his services to apprenticeships and local charities.
He was a director at the family-owned Seddon construction company where he worked for 56 years.
The business was founded by Christopher’s grandfather John Seddon and his brother George in Little Hulton, Salford, in 1897.
He joined the firm as an apprentice bricklayer in 1959 and went on to take over the running of the business in 1982.
Christopher remained active at the business until the final days of his life, and is survived by his wife Patricia, his three children, Nicola, Jamie and Jonathan who are all now directors at the company, and eight grandchildren.
Christopher’s grandson Josh joined the company as an apprentice plumber last year – the fifth generation of the family to work for the business.
Jonathan, who took over from his father as managing director at Seddon in 2007, said: “Dad’s commitment to both the company and the sector as a whole has been unwavering throughout his life.
“He loved what he did for a living and was proud of the way we did business. He took great joy in ensuring that next generation were given the opportunity to train and develop their skills and this will be his lasting legacy.
“It makes us extremely proud to think that the example he has set will be passed down through the company for generations to come.
“He remained true to his roots, and was well loved and respected in the local community.”
Seddon, whose head office is at Plodder Lane in Bolton, now has a turnover of almost £200 million and employs over 700 staff.
Seddon training and education executive Roy Cavanagh MBE, who has worked for the business for 45 years, added: “Having started his career as an apprentice bricklayer, Christopher never lost his desire to make sure apprentices were given a voice, not just in his own company but across the whole industry.
“I know that some of the happiest times in his career were when he ran the labour team, a role that I later took on, allowing him to run the sites but maintain a hands-on link with the workforce.
“He had a fantastic relationship with all the team, even earning him the nickname Batman due to his endless trips from site to site to meet as many people as possible.
“Christopher was immensely proud that all of his children have followed in his footsteps to take up roles at the company, which is now headed up by his son Jonathan, who like Christopher also started as an apprentice.
“I was proud to work for him and know him and I am honoured to continue his philosophy of helping people, particularly the young, to build a career in the industry.”
The funeral is expected to take place on Monday 10 August.
Friends and former colleagues within the industry wishing to pay their respects to Christopher are asked to consider making a donation to Cancer Research UK or to the Christie Hospital in Manchester.
