Obituary: Sheila Ikin

It was with profound sadness that we learned of the death of former RMA Administrative Director Sheila Ikin on 10 July, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Before joining the Retread Manufacturers Association in 1985 in a clerical capacity, Sheila had a varied career, including a distinctly non-tyre-related spell as a college lecturer in Business Studies and Spanish. In many ways, the tyre industry in general was a strange choice of career for a woman, as it was a long way indeed from being a good example of an equal opportunities industry – indeed, there was at least one occasion when Sheila attended an industry lunch at a golf club, only to be told that ladies were not allowed in that part of the clubhouse. Those who knew Sheila can all too easily imagine her reaction!

Despite this, and other similar setbacks, Sheila persisted with the tyre industry and was appointed RMA Administrative Director in September 1992. At this time, the Association was headed up by Brian Lawton and Graham Newland – two well-known and long-serving tyre industry stalwarts – and, speaking recently, Brian said; “what we both admired about Sheila was her energy and tenacity towards her work.”

This energy showed itself in other ways too; Sheila was very much into the local amateur dramatics scene, writing and appearing in revues and comedy skits and (along with other, like-minded individuals) contributing to a published volume of poems and short stories.

As was her wont, Sheila threw herself into these new challenges with gusto and she never complained about her ill-health, preferring to gloss over medical setbacks and disappointments.

On a personal level, Sheila was a good friend and, when she received an invitation to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, I eagerly took up her offer to accompany her. She will be sadly missed by her many friends, both inside and outside the tyre industry and we at T&A offer our sympathy and condolences to Sheila’s daughters Jacqui and Lesley, and to her many grandchildren.