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Reflecting on an outstanding career
» » THE 26TH MARCH WAS A DAY TO
remember for Peter and Susan Roden, owners
of Mitchell Glass who were invited to the
Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) London
offices for VIP treatment. First there was a
guided tour of the GGF’s historic timeline
of the glass and glazing industry, then a
photo-shoot as they were re-acquainted with
a special piece of Scottish glazing history
and topped off with a special GGF award
for ‘Outstanding Service to the Industry’ at
The President’s Reception held at St Bride
Foundation Institute in the shadow of St Paul’s
Cathedral.
On receiving the award, Peter said, “It’s
been an amazing day. I am truly honoured
and I’d like to thank the GGF and everyone
for making it so special. It has been a great
day for both Susan and I, not only receiving
this award but also to be photographed at the
GGF offices, wearing the 90 year old Scottish
Glass Merchants and Suppliers Association
President’s Chain of Office which was worn
by Susan’s father when he was President of the
Scottish Glass Association in 1992. That was a
very humbling experience.”
Though surrounded by history in the heart
of London, Mitchell Glass as Scotland’s oldest
has its own unique and illustrious history
going back almost 145 years.
In 1862, Robert Mitchell ran away from
home in Kinross, Perthshire at the age of
just 14 years old. Keen to see the world and
make something of himself, he made it to
Edinburgh, where he served his time as a
Glazier and then a few years later moved to
the Scottish Borders and set up his business
R. Mitchell Glass in Hawick in 1875. At
just 28 years old, Robert had founded his
own company but surely he could never
have imagined from its earliest days that it
would become the longest established glazing
business in Scotland.
Robert developed the business and proved
not only to be a skilled glazier and successful
businessman but he also helped shape the
community around him. He built new
premises in Hawick to accommodate the
different elements of the company and in
doing so increased employment in the area.
After nine years of building up a thriving
local business, he turned his focus to local
politics. In 1884, he raised his profile when
he was elected as a Town Councillor. Three
20 » M AY 2019 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
years later, in 1887 he was appointed a Baillie
and in 1896, he started his four year tenure as
Provost of Hawick.
As he approached retirement, Robert passed
the business to his son Alex, who unfortunately
died in 1948 and had no family to take over the
business. The Board of Directors of Mitchell
Glass decided to continue with the name
Mitchell Glass that is still used to this day.
The history of Mitchell Glass also
prominently includes Susan Roden’s family.
Her father Bill Fisher was a Member of The
Scottish Glass Merchants and Suppliers
Association which went on to become The
Scottish Glass Association (SGA). Bill Fisher
who was sole owner of Mitchell Glass, was
elected SGA President in 1992. The Scottish
Glass Association merged with the GGF in
1996 though Mitchell Glass has been a GGF
Member since 1987.
Current owner, Peter Roden started as an
apprentice carding engineer and from successful
completion and study, he worked in insurance
and bookkeeping before starting in the glazing
business as a sales manager for Mitchell Glass.
The family business theme remained with
Peter persuading his wife, Susan, to join
the team again. She had initially started
her Mitchells’ career as a “Saturday girl” at
the Market Street shop while still at school,
when she typed invoices on ‘the big black
typewriter’.
Both Susan and Peter have been active
members of the GGF for over 25 years, with
Peter being the first ever Chairman of GGF
Scotland, which also included representing
Scottish Members on the GGF General
Council, a body that oversaw all the activities
of the GGF.
Though it was a great and memorable
occasion for Mitchell Glass, rather than bask
in past glories, Susan and Peter are looking
forward to the company’s future. Their son
Lewis is currently learning all aspects of the
business with a view to one day taking the
reins of this prestigious brand name which
holds a unique place in the history of glass and
glazing industry.
www.ggf.org.uk