George Harriman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir George Harriman
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| Born |
George William Harriman
3 March 1908 |
| Died | 29 May 1973 (aged 65) |
| Occupation | Rugby football player Car industry leader |
| Spouse(s) | Ida Horlick |
| Children | 1 |
Sir George William Harriman (born March 3, 1908 – died May 29, 1973) was a very important person in the British car industry during the 1960s. He helped shape how cars were made and sold in Britain.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
George Harriman was born in Coventry, England. His father worked with motors. George grew up in a city famous for making cars.
His Career in Cars
Starting at Morris Motors
In 1923, when he was just 15, George started working as an apprentice at the Hotchkiss factory in Coventry. This factory was part of Morris Motors Limited. An apprentice learns a trade by working alongside experienced people. George was very good at his job. He kept getting promoted. By 1938, he was an assistant manager at Morris.
Moving to Austin Motor Company
In 1940, George joined the Austin Motor Company. He quickly moved up the ranks there too. By 1945, he became a director of the company. This meant he was part of the main team that made big decisions.
Leading the British Motor Corporation
In 1952, two big car companies, Morris and Austin, joined together. They formed a huge new company called the British Motor Corporation (BMC). This was a very large group that made many different cars. George Harriman continued to get promotions within BMC. In 1961, he became the Chairman and Managing Director of the entire British Motor Corporation. This was a very powerful position. He was in charge of all the cars BMC made, from design to sales.
Personal Life and Rugby
Besides his busy job in the car industry, George Harriman was also a talented rugby football player. In the 1930s, he was the captain of the Coventry and Warwickshire rugby teams. He even played for the England national team for a short time in 1933. He married Vera G Reynolds in 1936.
Awards and Recognition
George Harriman received several important awards for his work. He was given the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award in 1943. Later, in 1951, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). These awards are given by the British monarch to people who have done great things for their country. In 1965, he was made a Knight Bachelor, which means he could use the title "Sir" before his name.
