Joe Hyman
Joe Hyman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 October 1921 |
| Died | 6 July 1999 (aged 77) |
| Occupation | Textile entrepreneur |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 4 |
Joe Hyman (14 October 1921 – 6 July 1999) was a British textile industrialist who built one of the leading textile groups of the 1960s, Viyella International.[2][3][1]
Early life
Hyman was born in Manchester into a family long involved in the textile trade, which traced its origins to a great-grandfather in Russia.[3] He attended North Manchester Grammar School and left at sixteen to work in the textile industry.[2] Initially reluctant to join the family firm, Hyman began trading clearance garments from a small Manchester office.[3]
Career
After an early business failure, Hyman purchased a small knitting company in Suffolk in 1957, renaming it Gainsborough Fabrics. He expanded through acquisitions, including the Cornard mill and, in 1961, William Hollins, owner of the Viyella brand.[2] Under his leadership, Viyella was transformed from a traditional pajama fabric into a fashionable label associated with modern lifestyles.[3] Backed by investment from Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), Hyman pursued integration across spinning, weaving, and finishing, ultimately controlling more than forty companies by the late 1960s.[2][3]
In December 1969, a boardroom revolt ended his control of Viyella International, which was later absorbed into what became Coats Viyella.[1][2][3] Hyman later led the Yorkshire woollen firm John Crowther until his retirement in 1981.[2]
Later life and death
After leaving the textile industry, Hyman lived in Surrey, developing a country estate. Known for his cultured interests, he supported music and charitable causes, serving as a trustee of the Pestalozzi Children's Village Trust and as London School of Economics governor.[3] He died on 6 July 1999 at the age of 77.[3] Hyman was married twice. He was survied by his second wife, Simone Duke, and four children.[1][2][3]
References
- ^ a b c d Faith, Nicholas (12 July 1999). "Obituary: Joe Hyman". The Independent. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Heller, Robert (12 July 1999). "Joe Hyman". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Cowell, Alan (17 July 1999). "Joe Hyman, 77, Established British Textile Empire in 60's". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 October 2025.