Background
Hodgson, Maurice Arthur was born on October 21, 1919 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England. Son of Walter and Amy (Walker) Hodgson.
chief executive chairman of Imperial Chemical Industries
Hodgson, Maurice Arthur was born on October 21, 1919 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England. Son of Walter and Amy (Walker) Hodgson.
Degree in Chemical Engineering, Merton College, Oxford University, England, 1938. Bachelor of Science, Merton College, Oxford University, England. Master of Arts, Merton College, Oxford University, England, 1942.
Doctor of Science (honorary), Loughborough University of Technology, 1981. Doctor of Science (honorary), Heriot-Watt, 1979. Doctor in Technology (honorary), University Bradford, 1979.
He was knighted (knight bachelor) in 1979. As chairman, Hodgson felt that Imperial Chemical Industries needed to increase business in Europe, improve productivity and shift from bulk chemicals to higher value-added products. A fierce efficiency drive led to the loss of 30,000 jobs.
His successor John Harvey-Jones carried out many of the changes that Hodgson had initiated.
Maurice Arthur Eric Hodgson was born in Bradford and educated at Bradford Grammar School. He read Chemistry at Merton College, Oxford and joined Imperial Chemical Industries at Billingham in 1942.
By 1944 he was leading research connected with the Atom Bomb. In the late 50s he was posted to New York for three years.
He returned in 1960 to become Research Director of Imperial Chemical Industries"s Heavy Organic Chemicals Division.
As Chairman, Hodgson was hampered by near blindness after a cataract operation: Foreign a time papers were read to him. He obtained a television system to magnify the text. And he used Speed Reading.
He retired from Imperial Chemical Industries in 1982 and became chairman and chief executive of British Home Stores.
In 1985 this merged with Habitat to become Storehouse and he served on their board until 1989. In 1984 he attempted to save Dunlop but after a short time its bankers took control.
Hodgson was knighted in 1979. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1979.
Hodgson enjoyed watching horse races and became an owner.
Trustee The Civic Trust, 1978—1982. Member international council Salk Institute, since 1978. Member court University Bradford, since 1979.
Member Council Lloyd's, since 1987.
Married Norma Fawcett Hodgson, March 20, 1945. Children: Vivien, Tom Howard.