In case anyone missed the announcement on the Lakeland website:
It is with great sadness that I have to announce that Michelle Kershaw, our Customer Director, passed away on Friday 28th May after a yearlong battle with cancer. Michelle has asked that at this time, instead of flowers, those who wish to, can support her favourite charities, which are Cancer Care South Lakes and the BBC Children in Need Appeal.
After being diagnosed with inoperable cancer and given 2 months to live, 14 months ago, Michelle was determined that this dreadful disease would not rob her of the love of her life. She continued to work throughout her chemotherapy treatment and the acute discomfort of radiotherapy; it is fair to say that cancer never really got a look in. A year ago she took time off to marry her partner of 6 years, Anthony, and to 'smell the roses'. Michelle was renowned and revered throughout the mail order and catalogue production industry, being honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.
When Michelle passed away on Friday, I not only lost the person I've worked with for 15 years, but I lost my best friend as well. We had known each other for 33 years before fate brought us together at Lakeland Limited, but it was at work that I began to discover the big character that was Michelle, and why she was so popular with both our customers and our staff.
In a world that appears to be populated by faceless managers and 'grey' bureaucrats, Michelle was a breath of fresh air. She was always full of life and she led by example, never expecting anybody to do something that she could not manage herself. Her standards were demanding, but the results led to the success of Lakeland Limited and her voice came over so clearly in all the Company's catalogues and communications. She understood what the customer wanted, continually pushing suppliers and buyers for better products and more imaginative new ideas.
When I accompanied Michelle to presentations, other people would see a room full of strangers, but she would just walk straight in and see an opportunity to meet new people. She effortlessly drew people into conversation and left a mark on all the people she met. Michelle had tremendous energy and a zest for life, even when suffering with the burden of cancer. On the Friday morning before she died, she was still approving copy, not out of duty, but just because she loved her job and the people she worked with.
To return to the beginning, in 1974 Michelle applied for a position as an Assistant, at Lakeland Limited, a small family-owned company based in Windermere. She got the job, but I might add she was second choice! However, along with the Rayner Brothers, Michelle became a dedicated Lakeland Limited promoter. She worked with arguably more vigour than they did, as in those days women had to work twice as hard to gain the same recognition.
Michelle would do many Home Economic Shows on a shoestring. Whilst all the other presenters had a good night's rest, Michelle would arrive at the venue, unload all the equipment, assemble the stand herself and fall exhausted into bed at midnight. Then early next morning, she'd get up bright and breezy, ready to do a hard day's selling.
This was the time of the ground being set for the future of Lakeland Limited. Customers were gained mainly by recommendation of other customers, along with our attendance at the agricultural shows and Michelle's Home Economic Shows. Over the years the catalogues evolved and began to grow from two sides of A4 to 20 page catalogues (now 112 pages!). The products started to include kitchen gadgets, as well as keeping the basic freezer bags and foils.
Michelle began to make connections with women's interest magazines, hauling a suitcase full of products around the various editors' offices, in the hope that they would give her 5 minutes of their time so that she could tell them about Lakeland Limited. Through Michelle's tireless work in those early days, which she continued to the end, Lakeland Limited is very fortunate to have a great working relationship with the Press and enjoys much coverage and editorial.
In 1993, in recognition of her hard work, Michelle was made Customer Director so that the interests of our customers were represented in every decision made by the board of Lakeland Limited.
Michelle was most proud of the fact that Lakeland has developed from a tiny little company, which only had 1 retail store and produced 1 mail order catalogue a year when she started, into one of the leaders in its field. Lakeland Limited now employs over 1200 staff nationwide, with 26 retail stores throughout the country, and produces 19 mail order catalogues annually. Michelle was made 'Direct Marketer of the Year' in 1997, which is also the year that the Company changed its name from Lakeland Plastics to Lakeland Limited.
In 1998 Lakeland Limited became involved, through a product suggestion from one of our customers, with the BBC Children in Need Appeal, and as a result of Michelle's boundless energy and effort in fundraising, she was invited to become a Trustee of the charity in 1999. At the end of her 3-year tenure, she was invited to extend her Trusteeship for another 3 years. She was also a Director of BBC Children in Need Limited. She was so proud of her involvement and to date, Michelle, Lakeland Limited and its valued customers have raised over £250,000.
For further details, contact Barbara Shepherd on 015394 88200 or by e-mail at [email protected]; it was my great privilege to have been Michelle's PA and to have worked so closely with this remarkable, unique woman.
It would be a lovely gesture if we could make a collective mumsnet donation in her honour to one of the charities.
Justine/Carrie/Rachel, could we organise this via the site??