Charles William Hayward
Encyclopedia
Sir Charles William Hayward, CBE
(3 September 1892 - 3 February 1983) was a Wolverhampton
-born entrepreneur and philanthropist.
) in 1909.
, setting-up his own business at the age of 19. He initially manufactured engineering patterns before moving into the emerging sidecar
industry. Hayward's customers included AJS
who bought his company in 1920, but retained him as Managing Director.
In 1928 Hayward moved to London to pursue a new career as a stockbroker and industrialist. He founded Electric & General Industrial Trusts Ltd. which in turn led to the formation of the Firth Cleveland Group of Companies. This eventually had 23 factories in the UK as well as operations in Holland, West Germany, South Africa and Australia. The Group was sold to GKN
in 1970.
in 1938 and was awarded a C.B.E in 1970. He was further honoured with a knighthood in 1974.
, who was born in 1923.
Towards the end of his life Hayward married his former secretary, Elsie.
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
(3 September 1892 - 3 February 1983) was a Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
-born entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Early Family
Sir Charles was the second child of John Hayward, a cycle manufacturer, and Mary (née Williams). On the early death of his father in 1894, Sir Charles and his older sister Marion Daisy were raised by their maternal grandmother, Sarah Ann Williams (née Patten), a locksmith 'employer at home' at Church Lane, Wolverhampton. In 1908, Sarah Williams became the second wife of Joseph Stevens, the father of Harry, Joe junior, Jack and George Stevens who founded A. J. Stevens & Co (AJSAJS
AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on...
) in 1909.
Career
Hayward began his career as an engineering apprenticeEngineering apprentice
An engineering apprenticeship is an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering or electrical engineering. A typical example is the apprenticeships formerly available at the BTH and EEC at Rugby in England...
, setting-up his own business at the age of 19. He initially manufactured engineering patterns before moving into the emerging sidecar
Sidecar
A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle.-History:A sidecar appeared in a cartoon by George Moore in the January 7, 1903, issue of the British newspaper Motor Cycling. Three weeks later, a provisional patent was...
industry. Hayward's customers included AJS
AJS
AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on...
who bought his company in 1920, but retained him as Managing Director.
In 1928 Hayward moved to London to pursue a new career as a stockbroker and industrialist. He founded Electric & General Industrial Trusts Ltd. which in turn led to the formation of the Firth Cleveland Group of Companies. This eventually had 23 factories in the UK as well as operations in Holland, West Germany, South Africa and Australia. The Group was sold to GKN
GKN
GKN plc is a multinational automotive and aerospace components company headquartered in Redditch, United Kingdom. The company was formerly known as Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds and can trace its origins back to 1759 and the birth of the Industrial Revolution.GKN is listed on the London Stock...
in 1970.
Hayward Foundation
In 1961 Sir Charles set up the Hayward Foundation which donated millions of pounds to charity. It also financed the building of the Hayward Homes for the Elderly in Dunstall Road, Wolverhampton, where the Hayward family once lived.Honours
Hayward was made a Freeman of the City of LondonCity of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
in 1938 and was awarded a C.B.E in 1970. He was further honoured with a knighthood in 1974.
Family life
Hayward married Hilda Arnold in 1915 and remained so until her death in 1971. The Hilda Hayward Swimming Pool was named in remembrance of her. The couple had one son, Jack HaywardJack Hayward
Sir Jack Arnold Hayward, OBE is an English businessman, property developer, philanthropist and president of Premier League football club Wolverhampton Wanderers.-Biography:...
, who was born in 1923.
Towards the end of his life Hayward married his former secretary, Elsie.