MICHAEL LEACH (EASTERN SALES EXECUTIVE)

[ChristopherClarke]

I’m sad to report that Michael Leach formally from Cheveley Region has passed away.

Michael joined the Home Office Directorate of Telecommunications in October 1969, after serving 9 years in the Royal Air Force. He started as a Technician at Cheveley Depot, Newmarket in Suffolk, and spent 12 years in that grade.

After a change in his personal circumstances, he was promoted in 1981 to Senior Wireless Technician, and was based at Essex Police Headquarters in Chelmsford, Essex. He remained there until March 1985 when he was promoted to Chief Technician, and re-located back to Cheveley Depot.

In 1989, the Directorate of Communications became the commercially orientated company DTELS. Michael moved to the sales department of the new company, travelling around the south and east of England selling communications systems to emergency services, local authorities and utilities.

When in 1994 DTELS was the subject of a buy out by National Transcommunications Ltd, Michael elected to leave the company and was invited to join Tait Europe, an electronics company based in New Zealand. He stayed with the company for 4 years, retiring in 1999 as European Customer Services Manager with a seat on the Board.

Michael was an expert gardener, enjoyed travel especially to F1, classical music and antique collecting. After several years of poor health, he died unexpectedly on 13 August 2023, at Papworth hospital

I have fond memories of working with Michael between 1975-1989 mainly on major telecommunications installation projects throughout the region, we worked hard under his leadership and laughed a lot too.

Condolences to his wife Veronica.