Tributes to TH Clements founder Alan Clements, who has passed away aged 85, remember his ‘huge legacy’, sense of humour and generosity
Founder of brassica and veg supplier TH Clements, Alan Clements, passed away this weekend with family by his side.
Tributes have been paid from across the company, which Clements founded in 1966, and remember him as hard-working, generous and as someone who always had time to chat.
Born in 1940, Clements followed his father into farming but gained a passion for lorries and haulage. He built TH Clements with a small team and sheer determination to learn every aspect of the business, from seed purchase to field growing and packing.
In a written announcement to colleagues, TH Clements managing director Chris Gedney, said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce that Alan Clements has passed away this weekend, with his loving family at his side.
“Many of you will have met, worked with, chatted farming, lorries, football or golf with Alan. Certainly, he leaves a huge legacy and will be remembered with love and good humour by many.”
Known for being the first in the office and often the last to leave, Clements was a trader by nature and his reputation for driving a hard bargain was legendary among local businesses, who were known to dread the call for a new piece of machinery or lorry.
Outside work, Clements enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf and following Nottingham Forest football team. His ability to laugh at his own misfortunes and generosity meant he was usually to be found at the heart of social occasions.
“Alan achieved a great deal in his lifetime, yet he always seemed to have time for a chat and always with a smile on his face,” one colleague said.
Another tribute read: ”Alan was a lovely man, and he has left muddy footprints (in the best way) on the hearts of many people. He deservedly gained a lot of respect and love from those that met him, and who will remember him fondly.”
In recent years, Clements has been able to watch the business he set up continue to grow. In 2024, TH Clements broke into the FPJ Big 50 Companies for the first time, with a turnover of £72 million.
