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It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Jeremy Woolridge, Executive Chairman of B.E. Wedge Holdings Ltd (BEWH) and Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd, on the 15th of July 2026.

Jeremy joined the business in 1965 in the engineering department, becoming Managing Director in 1974, Chairman and Managing Director in 1987, and Executive Chairman in 2014. Under Jeremy’s more than sixty-year leadership, the UK galvanizing group grew from a regional player to the largest nationwide galvanizer, while BEWH expanded its interests into Europe, the USA and, more recently, Turkey, becoming one of the largest galvanizing groups worldwide and a manufacturer of associated equipment.

He also held several prominent positions in the industry both domestically and at European level, serving as Chairman of the UK and Ireland Galvanizers Association (GA) and President of the European General Galvanizers Association (EGGA). In 2023, Jeremy was awarded the Bablik Medal, given to mark outstanding activities of direct benefit to the sector.

A much respected and highly regarded figure in the galvanizing community and beyond, Jeremy was awarded a CBE in the 1998 New Year Honours list for services to business in the West Midlands and latterly appointed to the honorary roles of High Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenant in the West Midlands.

Despite his success and accolades, he would always humbly and proudly proclaim to be a Galvanizer.

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