It is with great sadness that Cembrit announce the death of David Bailey, the company’s pitched roofing Sales Director. Following a protracted illness, David passed away in North Wales on 18 June.

A well-known figure in the roofing industry, David was an expert in all aspects of natural slate. His breadth of knowledge extended from extraction techniques and the scientific and geological aspects of quarrying, through to the specification and installation of natural slate.

David joined Cembrit as Sales Director in 1999 and Mark Fisher, Managing Director of Cembrit, remembers a man who was passionate about natural roofing slate. “David had a wealth of knowledge of the slate industry that came from his long association with many of the key players; first Ffestiniog, then Greaves, Diamond Boart (a supplier of cutting tools to the stone industry) and also Cwt y Bugail and Penrhyn.

“During this time he worked in the quarry on the rock face, in production in the splitting sheds, in marketing and in a technical role, as well as in sales. He was a walking encyclopaedia of information on natural slate and he communicated on the subject with a passion that could enthuse both customers and colleagues.

“It is rare, if not unique, to have someone with such a practical combination of experience and it was put to good use when he worked for us. David always pushed for good quality products, good installation and a satisfied client. He believed that this approach benefited the market as a whole rather than serving narrow commercial interests.”

David was born and bought up in Sussex and was educated at Ardingly College. He was an accomplished pianist and had a keen interest in outdoor sports that he was able to indulge when he moved to Wales for a summer job. He never moved back out of Wales and it was in the principality that his interest in slate began. That interest grew into a career. He joined Blunn shortly before their merger with Cembrit Building Products and played a key role in the flourishing of Cembrit Blunn during the first decade of this century.