Leslie Smith (businessman) facts for kids
Leslie Charles Smith, who was given a special award called the OBE, was born on March 6, 1918. He passed away on May 26, 2005. Leslie Smith was super important because he helped start a company called Lesney Products. This company became famous for making the tiny toy cars you might know as Matchbox cars!
Contents
Who Was Leslie Smith?
Early Life and War
Leslie Smith was born in a place called Enfield, which is in Middlesex, England. He finished school when he was 14 years old. Before World War II started in 1939, he worked for a company called J. Raymond Wilson. This company made metal parts using a process called die-casting, where liquid metal is poured into molds.
When the war began, Leslie Smith joined the Royal Navy. He served in the Navy alongside another person named Rodney Smith.
Starting Lesney Products
After World War II ended in 1947, Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith decided to start their own company. They called it "Lesney Products." Can you guess how they got the name? They simply combined parts of their first names: Leslie and Rodney!
In 1948, Leslie Smith got married to Nancy Jackson-Moore.
The Success of Matchbox Cars
Lesney Products became incredibly successful, mostly because of their amazing Matchbox cars. These small, detailed toy cars became very popular all over the world.
Because of this success, Lesney Products received a special honor called the Queen's Award to Industry in 1966. This award recognized their great achievements in business. Two years later, in 1968, Leslie Smith himself was given the OBE award. This is a big honor from the Queen for people who have done something important for their country.
Later Life
Sadly, Lesney Products ran into financial trouble and had to close down in 1982. This means the company could no longer pay its bills.
After Lesney Products closed, Leslie Smith became the head of the board of governors for St Paul's School in Winchmore Hill. He also helped another school in north London. He lived in north London until he passed away in 2005.
Leslie Smith had two sons and one daughter.
