Nikon mourns Harry Collins, founder of Nikon UK, who passed away on 4 January 2023. The company offers sincere condolences to his daughters Jacinta and Donna, and the extended Collins family.
“We are profoundly grateful for Harry’s leadership in establishing our UK organisation,” commented Charlotte Kemsley, regional director, Nikon Northern Europe. “Our past and present team at Nikon have been reflecting on the pivotal role he played in our working lives.”
Harry Collins, known to many as ‘Mr. Nikon’, founded Nikon UK with the support of Nikon Switzerland in 1979. Responsible for the strong establishment of the brand in the UK at that time, he also played an invaluable role in forming partnerships with the London Symphony Orchestra, Wimbledon Tennis and The Open Golf, a relationship that lives on to this day as Nikon’s largest global sponsorship.
“Harry was a tough businessman and a hard negotiator, but also a great communicator and entertainer, said Jeremy Gilbert, Nikon UK’s former marketing director. “Above all, he was extremely passionate about the brand.”
“Harry established press servicing, offering check and clean services at major newspapers and then major sporting events,” added Mark Evans, customer support, systems and processing manager at Nikon Europe. “I am grateful to him for appointing me as the first local UK service manager, not long before he retired in 1996.”
Mr. Collins’ funeral will be held on 30 January at 10.30am at Harbour View, Randall’s Hill, Lytchett Minster, BH16 6AN.
