William Norman Adsetts was born in 1931 and grew up in Sheffield. After National Service as an Equipment Officer in the RAF, he read Philosophy Politics and Economics at Queen's College, Oxford. He was also a keen lacrosse player, gaining a half-Blue, captaining Oxford and playing for the south of England.

His business career began in 1955 when he joined Fibreglass Ltd, a subsidiary of Pilkingtons. In 1966 he joined the Sheffield Insulating Company, a small family business founded by his father, where he became Managing Director (1970) then Chairman (1985). In his hands the company became Sheffield Insulations Group plc in 1989 and was renamed SIG plc in 1995. It is now the biggest distributor of insulating materials in Europe. In May 1996 Norman resigned from the board and became Honorary Life President.

As President of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce (1988-1989) and Chairman of the Yorkshire and Humberside Region of the CBI (1989-1991), Norman Adsetts has played an active role in the local business community. He was an early advocate of public and private sector partnership in Sheffield, acting as a key member of the World Student Games company and leading the original Partnerships in Action and Destination Sheffield campaigns to promote a positive image of the city. He was a member of the Board of Sheffield Development Corporation from its formation through to the completion of its work in the Lower Don Valley in 1997.

Since 1993 he has been Chairman of Sheffield Hallam University's board of governors. He is also Chairman of Kelham Island Museum Trust, of Sheffield Theatres Trust and of South Yorkshire Supertram Trust. He was a trustee of the Hillsborough Disaster Appeal Fund from 1989 to 1996.

He has also served as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Association for the Conservation of Energy (1985-1990) and as a member of the Government Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment (1991-1993). He was awarded the OBE in 1988.

He is married with two children and eight grandchildren. With two autistic grandchildren, he is particularly committed to the support of children with learning difficulties and their families. His interests include the study of local and family history and he is a long-term supporter of Sheffield Wednesday.

Photograph of Norman Adsetts reproduced with the subject's kind permission.