February 1932 – January 2025
It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Don Slade in January 2025.
Spending his life in his hometown Croydon, Don was educated at Selhurst Grammar School before completing National Service from 1950 to 1952. He graduated with a BA (Hons) in History from King’s College London. Don’s professional career started in 1955 with Carter & Co. where he developed from a trainee manager to managing director, earning a diploma in 1957 in Management from London Business School. He remained with Carter & Co. all his working life before retiring in 1992.
Don Slade has been a valued member of the tiling community and played a vital role in championing the industry. His roles included past chairman and president of the National Master Tile Fixers Association, past secretary of the National Federation of Terrazzo Marble and Mosaic Specialists for many years, chairman of a joint training group with the Construction Industry Training Board covering wall and floor tiling, and Technical Inspector and TTA Technical Committee member for The Tile Association. Don was made a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers and a Freeman of the City of London in 2008. He was widely regarded to be an expert in his field and a representative on British Standards for wall and floor tiling.
Don leaves behind his wife, Margaret, who he married on 31st March 1956 over 68 years ago; sons Alistair and James; grandchildren Harriet, Penny, Edward, and Hugh; and great-grandchildren Patrick and Cecily. He will be remembered for his passion and dedication to the tiling sector and missed by all who knew him.
