Born in India in September 1939 Ron Naylor spent a happy childhood on a tea plantation run by his father. At the age of six the family returned to the UK at the tail end of the war due to the early death of his father. They settled in Eastbourne where Ron attended Eastbourne College. He worked hard and went on to read law at Birmingham University.
On his return to Eastbourne Ron joined Mayo & Perkins (now Mayo Wynne Baxter) where he stayed throughout his career, and worked up to becoming senior managing partner.
During this time he joined the Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce Board and remained a valued director of the Chamber for 26 years up to 2017. He was President of the Chamber in 1996/97 and contributed to the economic success of the town. He was a great support to me as President in 2009 and as Chief Executive from 2013.
Ron would always be prepared to ask difficult questions and challenge the status quo, but he always did it with such courtesy, and a huge smile, he will be missed by us all.
Ron leaves his wife Carole and children, David and Lucy.
Many local people, friends and colleagues, celebrated Ron's life at a service at Eastbourne College Chapel on Wednesday 11th December, where four past Presidents of the Chamber were present to pay ther respects; David Stonelee, Ian Shearer, Christina Ewbank and Mark McFadden.
The chapel was full and the service was a fitting tribute to a lovely man.
Christina Ewbank
Chief Executive
