Michael Walker, who ran HG Walker with his brother Nick from the late 1970s to 2002, has passed away aged 85.

Michael grew up in Walton-on-Thames and went to senior school in Caterham.

HG Walker was established by Michael’s great uncle Henry George Walker and grandfather Arthur, in 1887. Although his family’s firm was already well established on London’s wholesale market scene, the first job Michael took was at AG Linfield, a mushroom grower. His first wholesale market role was at RA Phillips in Brentford, where he learned the ropes before transferring to HG Walker in Covent Garden, in April, 1965, His father Derek and uncle Norman were at the helm and Nick joined HG Walker in 1969, so both brothers were in place when it moved to New Covent Garden Market in 1974, and became the third generation to run the business soon after.

The firm was initially located in A Block at the new market, but later moved to D Block, where it still operates today, as the market’s oldest continuous name. Michael enjoyed his time at NCGM – he was the salesman in the sibling partnership, while Nick looked after the administrative side of the business. “On the whole, we worked very well together,” Nick remembers. “We were both very proud to take over the family business and continue its success for so many years.”

HG Walker had traditionally been a specialist in British grown produce – the biggest in the market in Yorkshire rhubarb, for instance. Michael and Nick continued that while branching out in the ‘70s and ‘80s, to reflect widening demand from regular customers. Michael retired in 2002, aged 62.

In retirement, Michael became a very active and popular member of his local golf club and also raised large sums of money for the Alzheimer’s Society, which had supported his wife Sylvia, who died a few years ago. Michael is survived by his two children, Tim and Amanda.

Since his death, he has been remembered by the market community as a true gentleman and a first-class salesman. Rest in peace, Michael.

Funeral details 

Mike’s funeral will be held on Tuesday December 2^nd at 11.45, at Randall’s Park Crematorium, Randall’s Road Leatherhead, KT22 0AG. Refreshments will follow at The Drift Golf Club, The Drift, East Horsley, KT24 5HD.