Neville Kennard

Neville Kennard

October 4th 1937 – June 3rd 2012
 

Kennards Self Storage is a result of the entrepreneurial spark and vision of Neville Kennard.

Not only pioneering self storage in Australia he lay the foundations for enduring innovation and success of the company.

Neville Kennard, eldest son of Walter and Theo Kennard and brother to Joan Connery and Andy Kennard.

Educated in Public Schools then All Saints College Bathurst and Shore School North Sydney, Nev said his lack of tertiary education was one reason for his success. This allowed him a lifetime of learning and intrigue without the restraints of over-education.

He was an exceptional entrepreneur, insightful in identifying business opportunities and giving things a go, starting many businesses and supporting many others in their attempts in business.

Joining Kennards Brothers Ltd for 4 years including a directorship before joining the family business in equipment hire and manufacture and sales of car roof racks. Nev was the architect of expanding and designing the ranges of roof racks and bars.

Nev bought his father’s business Kennards Hire. Andy Nevs brother joined the Hire business in 1964 and the brothers were partners for 27 years. In typical entrepreneurial spirit, he introduced self storage to Australia in 1973. Developing a small storage facility at Moorebank. The storage business began to grow.

In 1991 after separating the Hire and Storage business with Andy, Sam Kennard joined the storage business with Nev, having just 8 centres at the time. This continued to grow and reach 14 centres during 1990.

In 1994 Nev formally resigned as Managing Director and Sam stepped in. Nev becoming a Director on the Board and an ever-curious interested owner.

Nev was one of the founding members of the Self Storage Association of Australia in 1990 and served on the National committee for many years.

A stern friend of freedom, he was strongly independent and developed his belief in right and responsibilities of personal freedom; the merits of free markets and limited government.

Passionate about liberty, low taxes, small government and property rights, Nev was the first significant donor to the Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) when he learned of its creation in 1976. He continued to play an important role in its activities for decades. He was the founding Chairman of the Board of CIS.

Nevs libertarian views moved ahead of the ‘think tanks’ in later life, describing himself as an anarcho-capitalist, evident in his many writings on www.economics.org

As a real family business, losing Nev on June 3rd, 2012 left a significant hole.

He has left an enduring legacy of collaboration; thinking differently; pushing boundaries and taking risks.