Electrical genius’s grandson dies at 88

Sebastian De Ferranti

THE grandson of an Oldham electrical pioneer has died aged 88.

Sebastian de Ferranti was chairman of Ferranti, the once-huge company set up by his grandfather Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti, a man generally hailed as an electrical genius.

Grandson Sebastian became managing director of the family firm in 1958 and succeeded his father Sir Vincent as chairman in 1963 before leaving the company in 1982. He is survived by children, step-children and his third wife Gillian Brown.

Ferranti’s grandfather was a prolific Italian inventor and engineer who brought light into the homes of thousands when he developed the country’s first high-voltage power station.

Ferranti’s special relationship with Oldham began in 1896 when he chose Hollinwood as the site for his first factory — a move which transformed the fortunes of the area.

By 1912, Ferranti’s Oldham-based company diversified into the manufacture of electrical domestic appliances. During the First World War, it branched into the first of many defence contracts.

Following Sebastian’s death, his son Vincent became chairman. The company manufactured defence and communications equipment and in 1948, it produced the world’s first commercial computer — the Ferranti Mark 1.

In 1987, Ferranti merged with the International Signal and Control Group, to become the Ferranti International Signal. The company went into receivership in 1993.