LONDON — Murray Simpson, chief executive of the Textile Services Association (TSA), has died in a car crash, the UK association reports. The accident, which reportedly involved multiple vehicles, occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 25, near Leicester, England.
Simpson joined TSA as CEO in 1998. From that point, he “worked tirelessly to steer the industry in the right direction,” TSA says.
Some of his key accomplishments include uniting the UK market on an international scale, coordinating the 2001 World Textile Rental Congress in London, and continuing efforts to safeguard the industry from “aggressive legislation.” TSA describes him as a “well-loved man with many friends” who developed a network in the industry and inspired many through his presentations and public speaking.
“Murray was always equipped with the right skills and knowledge to tackle any public scenario,” TSA says in a statement to American Laundry News. “He was always able to provide a piece of insight about a person or company, and that knowledge of the industry was second to none.”
Simpson formerly served a brief stint with TSA before his time as CEO, and his background also includes seven years at the Scottish Motor Trade Association and time as a civil servant.
According to the Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA), Simpson spoke at several TRSA events and at the Clean Show, and was working with the association to plan an international textile services industy conference to be presented in 2016 in Belgium.
“With Murray’s passing, the textile services industry lost a leader and supporter, and many of us lost a friend,” says TRSA CEO Joseph Ricci.
Simpson’s impact was also remembered by the European Textile Services Association: “ETSA pays tribute to Murray for his many astute contributions to our industry and for his legendary good humor, both within the UK and throughout Europe. He will be sorely missed.”
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].