Lance Clark 1936-2018

Lancelot (Lance) Clark, a prominent member of the sixth generation of the UK-based Clarks shoemaking family, has died at the age of 81. Known for his passionate support of the footwear industry, he was born in the Somerset village of Street, where C&J Clark International Ltd still is headquartered.

Credited with being the driving force behind the classic 1960s Wallabee shoe, Lance Clark was managing director of the company’s retail and footwear business until his retirement in 1994.

In 2003, Mr Clark was invited to Durban to advise on the South African shoe industry. While there, he witnessed unemployment and poverty, so decided to provide people with the sufficient means, ambition and pride to help themselves through shoemaking. Today, the philanthropic organisation he founded – called ‘Soul of Africa’ – makes shoes in Ethiopia, South Africa and Tunisia. The aim of this body is to develop skills and create sustainable employment for shoemakers, technicians and managers, thus making a positive positively on the lives of the employees and their families. Mr Clark’s daughter-in-law Dulma Clark now runs Soul of Africa.

On hearing of Lance Clark’s death, C&J Clark International chief executive Mike Shearwood said: “We have lost an immense character who will be forever prominent in our company’s history.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 3 of the April 2018 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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