George Nelson Haden
George Nelson Haden (c1901-1960), Chairman of G. N. Haden and Sons
1960 Obituary [1]
George Nelson Haden, for many years Chairman of G. N. Haden and Sons, was educated at Mill Hill School and at the University of Manchester, where he took his B.Sc. in Engineering. After graduation, he went to the United States for a time, where he worked for the American District Steam Company of Tonawanda, New York, and the Detroit Edison Company.
He returned to Britain in 1923 and joined the Company which he served for 35 years until his retirement in 1958. He became a Director of G. N. Haden and Sons Ltd in 1924, Managing Director in 1935 and Chairman in 1938.
George Nelson Haden was a popular figure in the life of the Institution. He became an Associate Member in 1936 and transferred to Member in 1939. From 1947 to 1957 he was a Member of Council and during that time he served on the Membership, Finance and House, and Local Branches Committees. He also served the Institution of Heating and Ventilation Engineers for many years and was President in 1938. In 1959 his outstanding services to that Institution were recognized when he was awarded its Gold Medal.
For 20 years he was chairman of the labour and negotiating committee of the Association of Heating, Ventilating and Domestic Engineering Employers and in this capacity he made an invaluable contribution to good labour relations within the industry. In 1948 he was awarded the O.B.E.
Education, in the widest sense, was of particular interest to Nelson Haden. He was the nominee of this Institution to the board of governors of the National College. He was first a governor and then chairman of the board of Bedales School and, for a time, he was a governor of University College Hospital, until ill-health forced him to resign. He also gave much encouragement to research projects.
Nelson Haden brought to all these activities great humanity and warmth which will be remembered by his many friends. He died on 30th July in his 60th year.