John Black (businessman) facts for kids

Sir John Paul Black (born February 10, 1895 – died December 24, 1965) was an important leader in the British motor industry. He held many top jobs, including being the chairman of Standard-Triumph, a famous car company.

John Black was born in Kingston upon Thames in 1895. His father worked at the Public Record Office, which is now Britain's national archives. John studied law at the University of London. During the First World War, he first served in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. Later, he joined the Royal Tank Regiment and became a captain.

Starting at Hillman

After the war, John Black joined the Hillman Motor Car Company in 1918 as a sales manager. He quickly became a director in 1919. In 1921, he married Daisy Hillman, whose father, William Hillman, owned the company. John Black became a joint managing director alongside his brother-in-law, Spencer Wilks. In 1928, when Hillman joined with Humber and Commer, Black also joined their company boards.

Leading the Standard Motor Company

In July 1929, John Black left Hillman after it was taken over by the Rootes brothers. In September 1929, he started a new job at the Standard Motor Company. He became a joint managing director there in September 1933, working with the company's founder, R. W. Maudslay. Maudslay passed away just over a year later.

As another war seemed likely, Black strongly supported the government's plan for shadow factories. These were special factories built by the government to make things like aero engines and aircraft. He managed two of these important factories, located at Banner Lane and Canley.

Becoming Sir John Black

In July 1941, John Black was chosen to lead the Joint Aero Engine Committee. He did such an excellent job that he was given a knighthood in July 1943. After this, he was known as Sir John Black and insisted that everyone at work use his new title.

After the war ended, he arranged for Standard to buy the Triumph car company. In 1953, Alick S. Dick took over the daily running of the company. Sir John Black then became the chairman of Standard-Triumph.

In late 1953, he was hurt in an accident while watching a demonstration of the Swallow Doretti car. Other leaders at the company thought this accident affected his decisions. Because of this, he had to resign in January 1954, officially due to his health.

Later Life and Legacy

In December 1954, Sir John Black became the deputy chairman of Enfield Cables Ltd. In his retirement, he enjoyed farming. He passed away suddenly on December 24, 1965, at the age of 70.

Sir John Black married a second time in 1943 to Alicia Joan Pears Linton. They had three sons together.

After Sir John Black died in 1965, Alick Dick, who took over his role at Standard-Triumph, remembered him fondly. Dick described him as an "outgoing and exciting, though sometimes controversial, person." Dick also recalled cars made under Black's leadership, like the Triumph TR2. He noted that Black focused on the car's performance rather than just its looks. He also mentioned that Black's cars often had little legroom but lots of headroom because Black was a tall man with short legs.