Derrick Speight

DERRICK Speight, who has died aged 83, was a senior executive with Marks and Spencer who first spotted the potential of a young trainee who became the head of the company.

Mr Speight, who was also a talented amateur magician, joined M&S after the Second World War eventually becoming senior personnel executive at the firm's London headquarters. In 1971 he hired the 22-year-old Stuart Rose, who was appointed the company's chief executive.

Mr Speight was born in Batley, the son of a woollen mill owner. His love of magic began at Batley Grammar School, and as a teenager he performed for Sunday schools and in local village halls.

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He was called up in September 1944, initially joining the West Yorkshire Regiment but then being commissioned into the East Yorkshire Regiment. He served in Egypt, and later in Austria on peacekeeping duties where he was promoted to captain. He also became the Army cross-country skiing champion.

When he was demobbed in 1948 he studied for two years at the London School of Economics before joining Marks and Spencer as a management trainee. He later moved to the personnel department at the London head office where, in 1975 he became senior personnel executive. He retired in 1987.

He joined the Magic Circle in 1953, and in 1954 he won a prize for his version of the traditional trick of sawing a woman in half.

In 1961 Mr Speight started the Young Magician of the Year competition. He served on the Magic Circle's council for 46 years, and was chairman for 13 years.

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In the 1990s he managed a 2m project for a Centre for the Magic Arts in London, giving the Magic Circle its first permanent home.

He was awarded the Magic Circle's gold medal in 2000 for his outstanding services, becoming only the eighth recipient in more than 100 years.

Mr Speight is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children.

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