George Nelson was born in Stretford Manchester, only son of the electrical engineer who through 30 years led from 4,000 to 80,000 employees. His father was George Nelson later Baron Nelson and his mother, known as Jane, was born Florence Mabel Howe and only daughter of a Leicestershire Justice of the Peace.
University of Cambridge.
After two years of practical experience in France and Switzerland and the onset of war in 1939 he was appointed superintendent of "s Preston works. When bought Doctorate Napier & Son in 1942 George Nelson was appointed Napier"s managing director He moved from Napier"s in 1949 to become deputy managing director of and was appointed managing director in 1956 following his father.
By the age of 40 he was on the main board of He was appointed chairman on his father"s death in 1962.
In 1968 was taken over by General Electric Company. Nelson was appointed chairman of General Electric Company and held that appointment for 15 years until his retirement in 1983 though he remained a further four years on the General Electric Company main board even after retirement as chairman. British Aircraft Corporation
Nuclear power
Nelson moved into nuclear power generation as a part of the consortium Atomic Power Construction Company Limited to build the Sizewell and Hinkley Point nuclear power stations.
United Kingdom"s first business and management schools
George Nelson led the campaign to raise funds for United Kingdom"s first business and management schools, London and Manchester, and was particularly proud of his appointment as the first chancellor of Aston University. in which position he served from 1966 until 1979. Nelson was a director of the Bank of England for more than 25 years, 1961 to 1987.
He also served for many years on the Engineering & Allied Employers National Federation later the Engineering Employers" Federation.
He served on many public bodies including the civil service selection board and the Advisory Council on Technology.
He was a member of the three engineering institutions — electrical, mechanical and civil — and served as president of the Institution of Electrical Engineers in 1970.
