Potton Homes entrepreneur passes away

Peter received an OBE at Buckingham Palace in 1996 for his services to the industry and attended with wife Rita, son Steve and daughter Jill.

He established the business in 1964 and to start with they manufactured virtually anything from timber including potato crates and pallets.

The business quickly expanded and now handle multimillion pound contracts for Trust House Forte, Center Parcs, the Ministry of Defence as well as hotel and housing projects throughout the UK and as far a field as the Middle East and Japan.

Speaking after he received his OBE Peter said: “I am very proud that the team of people who helped make Potton a success are being recognised for their achievements.

“As a company, we didn’t focus on profitability, we were about providing the best possible product, customer service with systems and productivity to match; the profits then came as a bi product of this.”

Peter was also the President of Potton United Football Club.

They released a statement which said: “It is with regret we learned of the death of our President, Peter Hutchinson OBE.

“Peter used to play football for Potton United and after his playing career had finished he continued to take a strong interest in the club.

“In 1973 he arranged for the purchase of The Hollow and over the years had been greatly supportive of the club in improving the facilities.”