LONDON — Peter Davis, director-general of the British Plastics Federation (BPF), has paid tribute to Margaret Thatcher.
"Today we heard the sad news that Britain's first woman Prime Minister had died," said Davis in a statement. "Not so well known is her time in the plastics industry.
"It was in 1947 that BX Plastics, based in Manningtree, Essex, took on 17 researchers. Three were women and one of them was the newly-graduated Margaret Roberts. Each was paid £350 per annum.
Thatcher (née Roberts), who worked at BX to develop an adhesive to stick PVC to wood and metal, was described by the company's technical director as "very conscientious, hard-working" but not overly popular with her colleagues.
"I got to know Margaret Thatcher when I became special adviser to the then Secretary of State for the Environment Kenneth Baker – she approved my appointment," Davis added.
"From my close perspective she leaves a lasting legacy, which will endure."