Obituary and notice of funeral: Michael Ian Holdsworth

Michael Ian Holdsworth, born 18 October 1940, died peacefully at his home in Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire on 31 July 2026 aged 85 years. He was surrounded by his five loving children, Olivia, Genevieve, Esther, Rupert and Millicent.

Michael was a well-known and respected character in both the frozen food and foodservice industries, as well as in his local area of South Yorkshire and the Derbyshire Dales. His reputation and legacy will remain for many decades.

Michael initially followed in his own father's footsteps, pursuing a career in butchery and gaining experience at both Mattocks and Dentons high-class butchers in Sheffield. He then went on to study Management before taking on a management position at local chicken processing business J. Thornhill & Sons in Great Longstone. It was in 1969 that Michael's natural entrepreneurial flair saw him realise his own business ambitions, when he saw opportunities in wholesale food provision in the local area. He launched Michael I Holdsworth Limited, operating out of a small garage unit in Stoney Middleton, selling and delivering oven-ready frozen chickens to local public houses.

As his number of customers and their demands increased, Michael began sourcing more product lines from the markets in nearby Sheffield and soon outgrew his original premises, facilitating a move for the business and his growing family to The Mill on Manchester Road in Tideswell, where the Holdsworth Foods head office remains today.

As his business grew, Michael employed a former Thornhill colleague, John Marriott, who remained Michael's right-hand man for 40 years. Many dedicated and long-serving employees at Holdsworth consider Michael a friend and feel honoured to have worked alongside him. These friends recall grafting alongside Michael day in and day out, not for reward or recognition, but for Michael. He always led from the front.

Michael was always looking for opportunity and was willing to take a risk. He was a founding member of Fairway Foodservice, a frozen food buying consortium which was instrumental in the growth and development of his own business, as well as other similar regional wholesalers.

He made many friends of suppliers, customers and his teams alike, and was actively involved in both his business and the wider industry. He was a character, respected and warmly regarded by many, always willing to give others a helping hand without expectation of anything in return.

Holdsworth Foods grew to be a highly successful national food distribution business, a leader in its field, now operating out of 10 sites across England and Wales.

Michael retired as Managing Director in 1999 and John Marriott took on the mantle. John successfully led the company to further growth before his retirement in 2023, with Michael's son Rupert the current Managing Director.

Michael was always mindful of his responsibility not only to those he employed, but also to their families and to the local communities his business became a part of.

First and foremost, Michael was passionate about his family. His wife Barbara, their five children and nine grandchildren were his motivation to succeed. He always had a love of cars and owned quite a variety of classics over the years. His other interests were history, snooker, golf and his second home in France, a country and culture that he loved.

Michael had many great friends whom he would regularly enjoy a pint with in the local pubs. He was a well-liked member of the community and, although modest by nature, he helped many people throughout his life, supporting local sports clubs, community events and businesses.

Michael will be cremated in a small private ceremony, with a public church Memorial Service. Details below.

Memorial Service
Date: Friday 11 September 2026
Time: 1pm
Location: Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire DE45 1QG
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NbcDkLDhNDKoEwUg9

Celebration of his Life
You are also warmly invited to attend the Celebration of his Life afterwards.
Time: From 2.30pm

Location: The Ballroom, Hassop Hall, Hassop, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1NS
https://maps.app.goo.gl/txhMfdu3FJaC34gX9

Please RSVP by Friday 28 August using the link below, or by emailing milly@holdsworthfoods.co.uk

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Funeral and Celebration of Life for Michael Holdsworth: fill in form

Special request: in lieu of flowers, the family would be most grateful for a donation to Blythe House Hospice or Ashgate Hospice, via www.noutchfunerals.co.uk/donations

The church service will be available to access online for those unable to attend in person. Please contact milly@holdsworthfoods.co.uk if you would like to be sent the link.

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