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UPDATED TRIBUTES: Property developer John Hindmarch dies
Monday, 9.30am - ACCOUNTANT and property developer John Hindmarch died on Friday night following a long battle with cancer.
Monday, 9.30am - ACCOUNTANT and property developer John Hindmarch died on Friday night following a long battle with cancer.During a long and distinguished career Mr Hindmarch, 68, made a huge impact on Grantham through both his property developing business and as senior partner of accountancy firm Duncan & Toplis.
%%Could not get body element policy for VersionedContentId(1.25565.UNDEFINED)His company, Grantham Estates, owns many town centre properties, Springfield Business Park, the Hill Court office development in Swingbridge Road, and car parks in Elmer Street and at Grantham Railway Station. The company also has developments in Newark, Stamford and Sleaford and for several years owned the Angel and Royal Hotel in High Street, Grantham.
Shortly before his death he was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the Journal Business Awards.
A life in Grantham business
The son of a motor dealer, he missed the 11-plus exam through scarlet fever and went to the Boys' Central School.
Although he later had the chance to move to King's School, Mr Hindmarch's parents were persuaded by the headteacher to keep him at Central and he went on to become head boy and captain of the school football team.
He left school with a handful of O-Levels and planned to follow his grandfather into market gardening, but his parents insisted that he train to be an accountant.
He became articled to Duncan & Toplis, at Barclays Bank Chambers. A short time later he met and married Janet Caunt, daughter of Tom Caunt, half-owner of ironmongers Chandlers.
At the age of 26 Mr Hindmarch became the senior partner - effectively the owner - of Duncan & Toplis.
He told the Journal in 2006: "Once I qualified in 1965 I wasn't sure whether to go to London or stay.
"Then Midland Bank manager Ray Hodge, a dear man and a friend of ours, suggested I buy a partnership and ask the bank to lend me the money.
"I spoke to the partners and they offered me the senior partnership for 10,000. Amazingly, the bank lent it to me. I was very lucky."
During his time as senior partner the company grew from five staff to 300 and had opened new offices in Sleaford, Boston, Lincoln, Newark, Melton, Skegness, Spalding and Stamford.
After establishing himself in his new role Mr Hindmarch began what he called his hobby - building the portfolio of property that was to become Grantham Estates.
In 1970 Mr Hindmarch was part of a group of businessmen who bought the former Ruston and Hornsby factory in London Road, Grantham to develop the area for commercial use.
Mr Hindmarch retired from Duncan & Toplis in 2006 but continued his property development "hobby".
Mr Hindmarch told the Journal he was particularly pleased with his achievements in Elmer Street, which included the renovation of Elmer House.
As well as his business interests, Mr Hindmarch loved gardening, shooting and other outdoor pursuits.
Family played a large part in Mr Hindmarch's business interests. Son Tom is a partner at Duncan & Toplis, daughter Victoria Kimmings at Castlegate Financial Management and son David, who also oversaw the running of the Angel & Royal, is managing director of Chandlers Oil and Gas.
David and Tom are both involved in the running of Mr Hindmarch's property companies.
David said: "He took an enormous amount of pride in his achievements at Duncan and Toplis and also developments at Springfield Park, in Stamford and at East Road in Sleaford.
"He was absolutely passionate about anything he got involved in - his business and his family.
"He would want us to thank all his partners and fellow directors, clients, tenants and staff for the involvement that they had with him over the last 50 years.
"He was a very principled man who believed in hard work, traditional values, family and loyalty.
"The family has been extremely touched by the many phonecalls, e-mails and cards and condolences we have received from so many friends and business colleagues."
Tom said: "From our point of view as children, as a father he gave us a fantastic education and sound advice up until the day he died.
"He was a great sounding board and he helped us in every way he could.
"He was very passionate about the town. Grantham has had many detractors, but he just stuck up for Grantham through thick and thin."
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Tributes:
Jacky Smith, director of Springfield House Business & Conference Centre said Mr Hindmarch wasa big character - 'big in stature and big in personality' who would be greatly missed by his many friends in Grantham.
"His heart was always very much in Grantham and he was always trying to do things which were a credit to the town," she said.
"He liked brickwork rather than steel cladding in his developments - so his buildings lasted longer and looked better. This sort of thing had a big impact on the environment of industrial estates.
"Despite his work he was very much a family man and as his grandchildren came along he doted on them."
"His wife Janet always looked after the family while he built up the business - and he was always very proud of her support.
Mr Hindmarch gave generously to many town charities and good causes, said Mrs Smith.
"So many causes were helped, quietly and without fuss - sometimes with money, sometimes with other kinds of help," she said.
Mr Hindmarch collected old postcards of Grantham and was extremely knowledgeable about the history and changing landscape of the town.
Alastair Hawken, chairman of Grantham Business Clubs said Mr Hindmarch had become established as a unique figurehead for the Grantham business community over many years.
"He was a man who was incredibly well respected for his forthright business style and his untold business successes," he said.
"His sincere passion and vision for Grantham was one of his many great characteristics.
"History will remember John as a one of Grantham's great businessmen."
I remember when my mother & I first moved to Grantham in the early 1990's, John gave my mum some advice about her car which needed some work doing to it. As we were new to the area we felt that John helped us to feel at ease & help us to begin to settle into the town.
We are thinking of his family during this difficult time.
Angeline Smith & Mary Brook.
As a relatively new tenant in the business community in Grantham we could not have wished for a better landlord than John. The last time we saw John was after he received his Lifetime Achievement Award at the Journal Business Awards and we were very pleased to congratulate him and to thank him for refurbishing 17 Castlegate enabling us to set up The Bridal Suite, our family business.
He was very highly thought of and respected in the town and our thoughts are with Janet and all the family at this very sad time.
Jenny & John Berry and daughter Melissa Stratton
The Bridal Suite, Castlegate
When I first started at Duncan and Toplis at 16, I was called into Mr Hindmarch's office to photocopy some maps. Easy as it sounded, I did it wrong. Ten minutes later I got called in to see him. "Good Luck" my colleagues said as if i was in for a real roasting. What I got was friendly guidance on the standard that was expected of me, and after this I always made sure that everything I did at work was the highest of qualities. I also developed a great amount of respect for Mr Hindmarch, as what he said to me was so little, yet so powerful. I got the feeling during my time there that everyone shared this respect for the man. He was a man that didn't say too much to me and the others young accountants, but what he did say was very valuable, and I always got the impression that he cared a great deal for everyone that worked for him. He was truly an inspiration, and he showed that however you start off in life, if you work at it you can always make something of yourself. He will be missed by many people in town.
Thomas Perry
I will never forget one day when I worked in the Duncan & Toplis offices and was feeling quite ill and Mr Hindmarch came by my office and noticed that I had a very bad cough and sore throat and almost immediately sent someone out to buy me some strong lozenges to help. That was a very sweet thing to do and something I have never forgotten. Carol Dodsley
John Hindmarch was a good friend to my late father and our family, especially after we bought a small packaging business in 1973 when my father and I left Grantham Motor Company Group. He provided working capital to this small enterprise which helped us expand over the following ten years. He and the partners of Duncan and Toplis helped guide us to become a well established organization which today is known as Macfarlane Group with over 100 locally employed.
The community has lost a business champion and a friend of Grantham.
My condolences to all his family.
Andre Finney
He could be a formidable employer at times, intent on carrying forward his always far-sighted projects. However, those of us who knew him well and had experienced his many thoughtful and unsung acts of kindness and generosity, grew very fond of him. His huge presence will long be remembered.
Row Glossop
Mr Hindmarch's secretary
I first encountered him when I was about 10 years old, little knowing that I would one day work with him for so long.
However in 1958 when he was quite a young man he was already wearing his trademark dark suit and he had achieved a considerable height.
I think when John joined Duncan and Toplis there would have been no more than 10 to 15 employees and two offices. The firm now has 10 offices and 350 employees. This would not have happened without the drive and dynamism that John possessed.
When Mr Duncan retired he said that John was a very young man to leave in charge but a very capable one - and how these words have echoed down the years.
I know partners, staff and clients that have worked with him over the years will mourn his passing, in particular missing his shrewd advice and many little kindnesses. Our thoughts also turn to his family and in particular his wife Janet who has supported John in all his endeavours.
Following his retirement John has continued to build his second career in property which has been another outstanding success, and one where I have been privileged to make a small contribution.
The success of Duncan & Toplis and Grantham Estates will stand as his memorial.
Peter Townsend
Senior partner
Duncan & Toplis
John was a towering figure in Grantham, and his passion and commitment to the town was an inspiration to everyone he worked with. We are all fortunate that his legacy will live on in the employment opportunities and improvements he contributed to in the town. These include the support he gave to the Masterplan, the provision of employment and inward investment such as Industrial units at Inner Street, offices throughout the district, the refurbished Angel & Royal, affordable car parking near the railway station and Elm House. In addition he sponsored a number of community events and activities for the benefit of the people of town, including Grantham by the Sea, Strictly Grantham Fever, and the Grantham Cup. John worked with local people, businesses, investors and ourselves to build a better Grantham and as such will be greatly missed by his colleagues at South Kesteven District Council.
Duncan Kerr
Chief executive
South Kesteven District Council
I knew Mr. Hindmarch as I was his milkman for many years, I can assure you that his passing will leave a large void in the lives of many people, not just local but up and down the land. He was very personable, approachable, and loved his work.
Nothing was too much trouble for the man. I will miss both him and his demeanour. A sad day for Grantham.
John Eason.
I have never met any one with such a presence. John had such a charisma, a larger than life personality, and the biggest cigars I have ever seen. He also was one of the kindest people I have ever met. After my father died 27 years ago he was always there for our family as our friend as well as our accountant. I will never be able to thank him enough for his contribution to my life, giving me my first job when I wanted to change my career. He always gave me such good advice. For this I will be eternally grateful and he will always be in my thoughts.
Sarah Tipler
To watch a video of John Hindmarch receiving the Journal Lifetime Business Achievement Award last November, click here.
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