Obituary – Lesley Squires

A True Champion of Stainless Steel

The South African stainless steel industry has lost one of its most dedicated and respected champions with the passing of Lesley Squires. For more than three decades, Lesley committed her professional life to advancing the industry she cared so deeply about. Through her long association with the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda), she became not only a trusted authority on stainless steel, but also a warm and steady presence in a highly technical environment.

Lesley’s path into the industry reflected both academic strength and practical determination. She completed a Bachelor of Business Science at the University of Cape Town before going on to earn her MBA from Wits Business school. Early in her career, she worked in the Netherlands with Fluor, gaining valuable international exposure. On returning to South Africa, she joined Middelburg Steel & Alloys, then part of Barlow Rand, where she began  building the deep industry knowledge that would define her career.

Lesley often said that she truly learned stainless steel not from textbooks, but on the factory floor. She immersed herself in production programming, market research and company visits, taking the time to understand how  businesses operated and how people within them thought. That practical insight stayed with her throughout her career.

She later founded her own research company, Strategic Business Planning Associates, and consulted to various companies, including Sassda. She joined Sassda as a full time employee in 2002 and would remain with the Association for more than two decades, serving as Market Intelligence Specialist and becoming widely regarded as the association’s institutional memory.

Lesley had a particular passion for hollowware and the aesthetic and consumer-facing applications of the material. She believed stainless steel was not only strong and functional, but also beautiful and versatile. Through this focus, she helped broaden perceptions of the material and encouraged downstream manufacturing and local value addition.

Lesley always presented a professional yet friendly face when representing the industry, both locally and internationally. She possessed immense knowledge of companies and individuals across the stainless steel value chain. For many colleagues, she was the go-to person to understand the characters, stakeholders and even the finer “political” nuances that quietly drive the industry forward.

In light of Lesley’s incredible legacy, a sample of the tributes received for her speak for themselves:

“We are so saddened by this news. It is a big loss for the industry.”

Columbus Stainless
Senior Sales Manager Business Development
Nocwaka Ntshangase

We will all miss Lesley, who was a friend to all, always helpful and knowledgeable. Our sincerest condolences to her family, friends and the Sassda team. Lesley’s absence will be a notable loss.”

International Chromium Development Association
Sheraz Neffati

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Les. Please accept our sincere condolences. Our thoughts are with the family, colleagues, and the broader industry during this difficult time. She will be remembered for her immense contribution to the stainless steel industry at large.”

Dtic Ferrous Metals Desk Director
Nyakallo Dlambulo

Lesley will be missed not only by current staff and former colleagues, but by the broader industry she served with such loyalty and care. Sassda will forever remember her contribution and will endeavour to continue her good work in building and strengthening the stainless steel industry in South Africa.