Regret at death of technological trail-blazer

It was with deep regret that I read of the passing of Paul Croset OBE, the creative founder of Holset Engineering (Yorkshire Post, March 5).

Like Sir Frank Whittle who invented the jet engine and Jack Kilby who invented the “chip”, Mr Croset was a technological trail-blazer. Indeed it is people like this who think out of the box who make a region and a country great. For without the intuition and innovative thinking that these special people nurture, leading businesses would not evolve.

To me, Mr Croset’s belief and wisdom in something revolutionary clearly indicates that West Yorkshire is and always has been a centre of leading innovative and creative thinking.

In my young days, I had the pleasure of meeting this great man and where I am sure that his immense legacy in some ways will continue to drive our region’s industrial heritage in the future. The only requirement is that it is allowed to do so.

Indeed, the North has to build on these dormant strengths of hidden technological prowess that would make our area the envy of the world once again. In this respect the 21st century will be the technological century and whoever holds this technological mantle, holds the secret of both social success and unprecedented wealth.

Mr Croset should be remembered by our town and city fathers as he provided thousands of jobs over many years for the people and families of West Yorkshire (directly and indirectly through supply and support services).

Not many have done this and this should be recognised by our region.