Press
Release
13th
January 2006
Dorset loses prominent business leader.
It was with
great sadness that the local business community learned of the passing
of Michael James Drewitt shortly before Christmas last year at Nuffield
Hospital Bournemouth of natural causes aged 73.
He will
no doubt be best remembered for his company’s work over the years
in the building and renovation of various architecturally important
buildings throughout the Dorset area ranging from:
• The re-building of Beales department store in Bournemouth following
bomb damage.
• The construction of a new bus depot for Bournemouth Corporation
Transport Department at Mallard Road, Bournemouth in the early 1950’s(now
a Grade 2 listed building).
• The construction of the Portman Building Society headquarters
on Richmond Hill. (now rebuilt)
• The construction of Bournemouth Pier Pavilion in 1958 –
contract sum £107,837
Born on
13 January 1932 in Bournemouth Michael was the only son of Charles George
Woodlands Drewitt and Marie-Louise Drewitt (Nee Stephens). In the 1920’s
James Drewitt (Michael’s Grandfather) had purchased land in the
Bournemouth area and it was very early on in his life that Michael was
introduced to the building industry.
Michael went to Homefield School in Iford but in 1942 was sent to Shaftesbury
Grammar School as a boarder. At 16 he went to the Brixton School of
Building for 2 years and eventually joined the family business with
his father Charles in 1950. He was made a director in 1953 at the age
of 21 and was affectionately known as “Mr Michael” at the
office.
However between 1955-57 he fulfilled his National Service responsibilities
when he joined the Royal Engineers based at Larkhill Camp, Salisbury.
In 1957
the Company moved from their offices in Seabourne Road, Southbourne
to new purpose built premises on Ringwood Road, north of Bournemouth
town centre where the Company still remains to this day.
Michael then followed in his Father’s footsteps and became President
of the local Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Association of the
Building Trade Employers Federation in 1966.
Michael presided over the Company’s Centenary celebrations in
1977.
In the early 1980’s the construction industry was going through
severe recessionary times and Michael took the difficult decision to
stop general contracting and redeveloped the site at Ringwood Road into
a small industrial estate. This decision proved pivotal and enabled
the Company to survive. Today the Drewitt Industrial Estate is thriving
with nearly 30 small and medium companies having premises there.
Michael became Chairman of the Drewitt Group of Companies in 1994 following
the death of his Father, Charles, a position that he retained until
his death. He continued to come into the office every day right up until
the time of his death always taking an interest and offering an opinion
of everything that was going on!
Michael was a keen and active member of Bournemouth North Rotary Club
and was also a member of the Board of Governors at Bournemouth &
Poole College of Further Education from about 1987 to 1997.
Michael married Margaret Green in 1957 and had two children Richard
and Gillian both of whom are Chartered Surveyors and now represent the
5th generation of the Drewitt family to work in the business. Both have
been President of the Bournemouth & District Association of the
National Federation of Builders.
Michael James Drewitt 1932 - 2005
