Italy drowning tragedy: Tributes paid to 'model' Shropshire businessman Simon Pearson

Simon Pearson was a “model businessman” his peers have said, revealing their shock and upset at the 47-year-old’s tragic death while attempting to save his 10-year-old daughter while on holiday in Italy.

Mr Pearson was managing director of Jesmonite Ltd, a company which manufactures the material of the same name, a lightweight substance that can be moulded to replicate the appearance and texture of everything from marble stone to rough wood.

The business is based at Bishop’s Castle’s Challenge Court on Love Lane, and has been looking to expand with hopes it may move to a larger premises on the town’s Crowgate Business Park.

Mr Pearson died on Tuesday morning at the Bosco Verde beach in Ostuni, in the Puglia region of southern Italy, after swimming out to save his daughter and her grandfather who had got into difficulty due to strong currents and high winds.

The girl is believed to have been brought back by Italian beach worker Martino Maggi, 49, who also died after going back into the water to rescue Pearson, who passed out in the water.

Mr Pearson and Mr Maggi were brought to shore but resuscitation attempts failed.

Mayor of Bishop’s Castle Jane Carroll said Jesmonite was the second biggest employer in Bishop’s Castle.

She said Bishop’s Castle Town Council, Bishop’s Castle Community Land Trust and Enterprise South West Shropshire had all been working in partnership with Jesmonite over the future of the town’s business parks.

“The most pressing of the needs was to build new premises for Jesmonite, which was looking to expand,” she said, adding that recent talks with Shropshire Council seemed to be making progress with hopes to upgrade the infrastructure at Crowgate.

But she said such considerations would have to be put on hold for the moment.

“It’s a real shock and our feelings go out to his family. It’s obviously a massive blow for the family and at the moment the business is a secondary concern in that sense. I’m sure the situation will become clearer as time goes on,” she said.

Mike Ashwell at Enterprise South West Shropshire said it was terrible news.

He said: “The whole town is in shock. He was very well known and very well liked.

“I also run Bishop’s Castle Business Network and I can say that he was a model businessman.

“He ran an amazing company and was amazing to his employees.

“They will miss him enormously as will the whole town, I think.”

Mr Pearson did not live in Bishop’s Castle, but nearby in the village of Old Church Stoke, in a picturesque valley near Churchstoke, on the Shropshire border.

A gardener in the village, who did not want to be named, said the Pearsons were a lovely family.

“They bought a little cottage here and extended it into a beautiful home for themselves,” he said.

“My heart goes out to Emma and the family. They will have so much to deal with, how are they going to cope.”

Mr Pearson’s firm was winner of the Shropshire Star’s best small business award in 2014 and in recent years produced decorative artwork for P&O’s new £473 million cruise ship Britannia, for a magnificent Middle Eastern villa at an undisclosed location for one of the world’s richest people, and parts for the film sets Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Guardians Of The Galaxy.

Jesmonite exports all over the world and wider industry connections also gave their condolences.

The International Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete Association, a trade association representing the industry worldwide, tweeted: “GRC Association is saddened to learn of the sudden death of GRCA council member Simon Pearson of @JesmoniteLtd. Our condolences go to his family.”

Resineco, a Barcelona-based green materials company that distribute Jesmonite, also tweeted: “Our sincere condolences to Simon Pearson’s family and all his team of @JesmoniteLtd . From the distance, we cry with you.”

A spokeswoman for Jesmonite Ltd said the company would not be commenting at this time.

The Shropshire Star Facebook page has been bombarded with messages from well-wishers who have spoken of Mr Pearson's bravery as he battled to save his 10-year-old daughter from drowning.

Vicki Driver wrote: "Absolutely tragic. My heartfelt condolences to both families.

"I hope the young girl grows up knowing that it was a brave but natural instinct of both her father and the other gentleman and that it was not her fault."

Keith Marsden said: "The Mediterranean can be so unforgiving. I'm only here today due to an Anzac saving my Dad off the coast of Italy during the war.

"Sincere condolences to all the family and friends affected by this tragedy."

Boots Coffey added: "Devastating. Both men here absolute heroes, god bless those left behind."

Sharon Wilson said: "How awful for them all - what a burden for that child to live with - condolences to all."

Paula Faulkner wrote: "How awful. When there's high winds shouldn't the flag be changed as a warning or something?"

Julia Sim added: "Omg. I can not believe this has happened. All staff at Harry Tuffins (co-op) are devastated."

Paul Barnes said: "So so sad, my thoughts are with you Emma and your family. X"

Lindsay Barker Jones wrote: "So sad,he was such a lovely man.thoughts are with the family.x"

Simon’s commitment was ‘unrelenting’

Mr Pearson had worked with the International Trade Team at Shropshire Chamber of Commerce for a number of years as part of his company Jesmonite’s efforts to explore overseas markets for its unique product line.

That contact with the chamber had also led to Jesmonite also made awards that were handed to successful firms at last month’s Shropshire Business Awards.

Chamber chief executive Richard Sheehan said: “I have been aware of Simon and his business for a number of years as they have been particularly engaged with out international trade team because they sought to sell products around the world and create a very important employment opportunity for people in a very rural part of our county. Having met Simon on a number of occasions – and latterly working with him as he and his business produced the awards for the Shropshire Business Awards – it was clear his commitment to giving something back to the local area was unrelenting.

“We were astonished by the work carried out for the awards and it was a total credit to Simon and his business.

“I’m sure at this sad time the business is in shock, as we all are, and both the chamber and the wider business community will offer our condolences and support in any way we can. Jesmonite supported us as we looked to celebrate business success – it was a case of a successful business putting something back into the local community.

“There was never a hesitation from Simon, he and his wife were very keen to do that and it was a real privilege to work with them to produce something that was such a unique piece at a time of such great celebration.

“It is a unfortunate we now have to reflect on such terrible sadness.”