All aboard as Blagden joins the Lord Mayor’s Show

A traditional Routemaster bus will be carrying the name Blagden through the heart of
London in the midst of marching bands, ornate carriages and vintage cars as the 685th
Lord Mayor of London travels from the City to the Royal Courts of Justice.
The Lord Mayor’s Show is the longest, grandest, most meticulously organised procession
in the world. It dates back nearly 800 years to 1215 when King John made the Mayor of
London one of England’s first elected offices. It was a condition that every year, the newly
elected Mayor of London would travel upriver to Westminster and swear loyalty to the
crown.
It is fitting therefore that Blagden should choose such a historic occasion to celebrate its
own anniversary: 150 years in the UK chemicals market. It was in 1862 that WG Blagden
first started trading and from there has followed a long and distinguished record for
Blagden at the heart of the UK chemicals industry.
Blagden’s origins were as a chemical merchanting operation pioneering the refining of
crude petroleum and coal tar distillations. Under the stewardship of Victor Blagden, the
commercial success of the business was strengthened while he also took the lead in
developing the chemical merchanting industry, playing an instrumental role in founding
the organisation now known as the Chemical Business Association.

Today Blagden Specialty Chemicals operates from its head office in Westerham, Kent
and continues to promote a progressive, forward-looking approach to its specialty
chemicals business while benefiting from a strong, deep-rooted history of successful
growth and adaptation to change. The company supplies chemicals to key industry
sectors within the UK and Ireland, and brings with it detailed knowledge and expertise in
products and applications.
On November 10th Blagden staff will be joined by customers and key supply partners as
the Blagden Routemaster bus takes its place in the three-mile procession. Graham
Turton, Blagden Managing Director, explained the significance of the event: "Blagden is
one of the best-known names in the UK chemicals market. We are also continually
expanding our profile overseas as manufacturers recognise the benefits we provide in
terms of our knowledge and expertise in sales and distribution within our local markets.
"While being known for flexibility and innovation, our business is also associated with the
very traditional values of integrity and excellent customer service. We have an
association with the City of London, having been based in Plantation House, Mincing
Lane.
"For all these reasons, London’s historic Lord Mayor’s Show is the ideal event to
showcase and celebrate our illustrious past while we ourselves look forward to an active
role in the future of the UK chemicals business.”