The Group
Creative Services
Printing
Online Ordering
Newark: 01636 702334 | Grimsby area: 01472 351277 | info@willsons.com
1864 to today
Six generations
One family name over the door for more than 160 years.
Willsons has passed from father to son since 1864. The line runs from the founder, William Willson, through his son William Ernest and grandson Leon, to Leon's son David Eric, his grandson Mark, and Mark's sons Matthew and Jake, who work in the business today.
The people behind the name
William Willson
Founder, 1864
A Leicester furniture maker who began carving wooden blocks and letters for posters. Known in London as the "Sporting Printer", he loved boxing and trotting horses, and ran his works firmly but fairly.
William Ernest Willson
Second generation, joined 1888
Joined his father when he came of age, turning the firm into Willson & Son, Theatrical Printers. A Leicestershire Yeomanry man and rugby player, remembered by his staff as just and sympathetic. He lost his eldest son in the First World War.
Leon Harold Willson MC MBE
Third generation, head of the Nottingham branch
Won the Military Cross with the Leicestershire Regiment in the First World War, then led the Nottingham business for decades. He served as Sheriff and then Lord Mayor of Nottingham, and was made an MBE in 1956.
Cyril George Willson
Third generation, head of the Leicester works
Served in the Royal Navy in the First World War, then ran the Leicester works through its busiest years in the 1930s.
David Eric and Leon Kenneth Willson
Fourth generation, Nottingham
Two of Leon's three sons joined the business at Nottingham. Their brother George became a solicitor.
Rupert and Mark Willson
Fifth generation
David Eric's sons both joined the firm. Mark founded the current Newark company in 1991.
Matthew and Jake Willson
Sixth generation
Mark's sons carry the business forward today. Matthew Leon Willson shares the name of his great-grandfather, Leon.
Willsons today
From carved wooden poster letters on New Walk to digital presses in Newark, the business has always changed with the times. Today Willsons Group Services offers creative design and photography, litho and digital printing, print management, storage and distribution, and online ordering. And it is still a family firm.