OBITUARY Neil Kenneth Millington 1949-2020

Neil Millington, the hugely popular former MD of Autosound, died of pneumonia on the afternoon of 16 December in ‘Jimmy’s’ Hospital in Leeds. He had been suffering reduced mobility since a fall earlier in the year and also had difficulties eating and drinking as a result of Kennedy’s disease.

He had worked for Smith’s Industries and when they decided to sell on their car and coach radio division in 1985 he led a management buyout team that acquired it, successfully changing its focus and developing it to concentrate primarily on the needs of the coach industry. He was very active among suppliers and was a leading light in CISA, the Coach Industry Suppliers Organisation. This held regular events and was behind the inauguration of the CISA Show, first held at Donington and later at Telford, which developed into the ExpoCoach event.

Neil retired at the age of 55, as he had always intended to do, selling the Autosound business to Keith Ellis and Lee Fergus who continue to run it today.

In retirement, he devoted his time primarily to his hobbies which included Land Rovers, model railways, Alvis cars and preserved buses and coaches. As well as being prominent within the Alvis Owners Club, he owned and, with a group of friends maintained, a considerable collection of elderly coaches within his Classic Connections organisation, regularly attending rallies and similar events in them.

He leaves his sister, Susan and nephews Dan, Tom and Charles. A small private family funeral will be held.