Keen sailor who created weatherproof clothing fit for the marine environment
Henry Strzelecki, who has died aged 87, was a world leader in the design and development of clothing for recreational activities. Half a century ago, he realised that there were no garments for outdoor life that were fit for purpose, and set out to rectify the situation.
In particular, as a keen sailor, Strzelecki was frustrated that there was no available clothing good enough to withstand the marine environment. Manmade fibres were in their infancy, but Strzelecki identified nylon as suitable for producing wearable weatherproof clothing.
In 1963, he formed a partnership with Angus Lloyd that was to become Henri-Lloyd Ltd, and began manufacturing in a converted chapel in Salford, Greater Manchester. He sourced new materials, developed techniques such as the hand-taping of seams to prevent leakage, and pestered accessories manufacturers, including the Swiss firm Riri, for non-corroding nylon zips. Into his sailing jackets he introduced integrated safety harnesses, which have saved many lives.
Born in Brodnica, midway between Warsaw and Gdansk, Strzelecki fled occupied Poland after "making himself a nuisance to the Nazis". In Italy, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps, which became part of the British Eighth Army. His many campaigns included the liberation of Bologna. He was demobilised in Britain and opted to stay there.
Mr Henri, as he was known, studied and worked in the textile industry. During that time he married a strong-minded Yorkshire woman, Sheila, whom he met while working at the Double Two shirt factory in Wakefield. She provided him with the support he needed to develop his ideas within the trade.
He had an eye for successful promotion and many of his products were tested by adventurers who went on to become famous – including Francis Chichester, Alec Rose, Robin Knox-Johnston, Chay Blyth and Naomi James. For the last 20 years he supported Ben Ainslie, the most successful Olympic sailor. In 1985, Strzelecki was appointed MBE for services to the clothing industry, and in both 1986 and 1987 Henri-Lloyd received the Queen's award for export achievement.
Strzelecki made friends easily and never forgot a face or the name that went with it. His table tours during the annual dinners he gave at the Polish Club in Kensington, during the London Boat Shows, were as unforgettable as the man himself. Towards the end of the meal, he would slowly perambulate, stopping behind each chair and introducing its occupant to the rest of the assembled company. There was never a hitch, nor was he stuck for a name or a relevant story.
Sheila predeceased him. He is survived by two sons, Paul and Martin, the joint chief executives of Henri-Lloyd; a daughter, Diane; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
• Henry Strzelecki, businessman, born 4 October 1925; died 26 December 2012