DIRECTORS and staff of a Wellington business which is now known worldwide were this week mourning the death of the company’s founder, John Packer.

Mr Packer, who was aged 75 and described as a ‘music industry icon’, died peacefully on Saturday (October 10) after a short illness.

His business, JP Musical Instruments, based in Chelston Business Park, trades all over the world and last year was recognised with the King’s Award for Enterprise.

Managing director Rob Hanson said the company was ‘deeply heartbroken’ to announce Mr Packer’s death.

Mr Hanson said: “While John was famously a simple man with simple needs in life, within the global music industry, he was a true force of nature.

“He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that transformed a modest local enterprise into an international household name.

“John founded the company in 1974 in Taunton.

“Over the next 50-plus years, he served as the unstoppable driving force behind its remarkable growth.

“His brilliant entrepreneurial skills, combined with a tireless work ethic and a rare, steadfast set of business morals, became the cornerstone of the company’s success.

“John lived and worked by a fundamental rule, he always treated people exactly the way he expected to be treated himself.

“John’s legacy will undoubtedly live on for generations to come.

“The small retail shop in Somerset that he started over five decades ago has grown into an internationally-recognised brand of musical instruments sold all over the planet.

“Today, hundreds of thousands of musicians perform on a daily basis using instruments proudly bearing John’s name.”

Mr Hanson said last year’s Royal honour was the second achieved under Mr Packer’s visionary leadership after the firm also received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2018.

He said Mr Packer had been ‘incredibly proud’ of the awards ‘yet remained deeply humble’ about them.