Algernon Charles Holland

Algernon Charles Holland MBE MC (10 February 1919 – 2001) was a British businessman, and the founder of Amplifon.

Algernon Charles Holland
Born10 February 1919
Died2001
NationalityBritish
OccupationBusinessman
Known forFounder of Amplifon
Spouse
Anna Maria Formiggini
​
​
(m. 1950)​
ChildrenSusan Carol Holland

Early life

Holland was born on 10 February 1919 in Horsham, Sussex.[1] His father, Algernon Holland, a Captain in the Royal Air Force, died in the First World War, on 21 September 1918, before he was born.[2][3] His father was serving with 249 Squadron, Seaplane Station, Dundee, when their Curtiss-H16 "Large America" flying boat "struck a ship's mast on the river Tay, crashed and burst into flames".[4] He is buried at the Dundee Eastern Necropolis.[3][4] He was the son of Arthur and Amy Holland of Horsham, Sussex.[3][4]

His mother, Helen Ruth Menzies, was Scottish, born in Argentina, of Quinta Rannock, San Ferriemdo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and in 1921, they moved to Buenos Aires, and he was educated there at the English College.[2][4]

Second World War

In the Second World War, Holland served with Special Operations Executive.[1] He was a Major in the Royal Corps of Signals, and was awarded an MBE, and a Military Cross in 1945.[5] The MBE was awarded in 1943 for his services in Greece.[6] In 1948, the US awarded him the Bronze Star Medal.[6]

Career

Holland founded Amplifon in Milan, Italy in 1950, in part because of his experience with servicemen suffering hearing loss in the war, and because of the invention of the transistor in the late 1940s.[6][7]

In 1971, he founded the independent not-for-profit Centre for Research and Studies (CRS) in Milan, to co-ordinate research into audiology and related areas.[8]

Personal life

In 1950, Holland married Anna Maria Formiggini, who has been a director of Amplifon since 1980, chair since 1990, and honorary chair since 2011.[9]

Their daughter Susan Carol Holland has been chair of Amplifon since 2011.[9] She owns 44.9% of Amplifon through her family's holding company.[10]

He died in 2001.[2]

Legacy

The Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons was established in his honour, with Falklands war veteran Simon Weston as head of the judging panel.[11]

References
  1. Archives, The National. "The Discovery Service". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  2. "Il partigiano che sconfisse la sordità". La Repubblica. 17 March 2001. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  3. "Casualty". www.cwgc.org. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  4. "Algernon Holland". greatwardundee.com. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  5. "Supplement to the London Gazette" (PDF). London Gazette. 2 August 1945. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  6. "War hero's hearing mission". 31 August 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2018 – via PressReader.
  7. "History of Amplifon over the last 65 years - Amplifon". uk. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  8. Robert G. Glaser; Robert M. Traynor (30 December 2017). Strategic Practice Management: Business Considerations for Audiologists and Other Healthcare Professionals, Third Edition. Plural Publishing. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-63550-015-8.
  9. Editorial, Reuters. "${Instrument_CompanyName} ${Instrument_Ric} People - Reuters.com". U.S. Retrieved 14 September 2018. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  10. "New billionaires show that hearing aids are a sound investment". theedgemarkets.com. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  11. "War hero seeks Suffolk nominees who represent 'The Best of British'". East Anglian Daily Times. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.


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