Michael Venner, formerly joint managing director of the stocktaking business that still bears his family name, passed away on Monday 22nd February, aged 85.
As joint managing director, Venner took control of the client contact side of the business, taking up the appointment in 1961 and remaining in the business long after its acquisition by Christie Group in 1984, finally retiring in 1990.
He became a major influence in modern stocktaking when Venners launched its first computer program in 1963.
Christie Group chief executive David Rugg said: “Michael was enormous fun to work with and was imbued with a tremendous knowledge of the licensed trade. Above all, he was a people person, happiest out amongst the team doing his utmost for Venners’ clients.”
Venner returned to make a keynote speech at the company’s centenary celebration in 1996, and kept abreast of progress through his daughter, Katherine, who still works for the company.
He originally worked for Kelsey Brewery in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, followed by National Service with the Royal Marines. Venner further studied in the trade at Ushers Brewery, before joining the family business.
Trevor Heyburn, Venners current managing director, said that the business was deeply saddened by Michael’s death. He went on to say that although Michael had not been actively involved for many years and the way the business operated had materially changed, it was the overriding operational ethos instilled by Michael which was something the company still applied today. He also noted that he knows Michael was proud of what the business achieved during his own tenure and equally proud of how it had progressed since.
Venner leaves a wife, son and daughter.
