Colleagues of former employee of London’s Courage Brewery may have “vital information” after incurable asbestos cancer diagnosis

Martin Vowles (known by his colleagues as Mev) was employed by Courage Limited from around 1982 to 2003. From 1982 to around 1998, he was based at Mansfield House, 335 Western Avenue, Acton, which was on the A40 in west London. 

Martin recalls that Mansfield House had a suspended ceiling, with white tiles in the frame and a ceiling void above. He remembers that electrical and telephone cables were run through the ceiling void when new IT equipment was installed.  

To provide IT support outside of office hours, Martin also worked overnight and during that time he recalls seeing tiles being removed from the ceiling frame so that cables could go through that space. 

Martin says that Mansfield House was built in the 1960s/70 and leased by Courage Limited. He understands that the building has since been demolished. Courage Data Centre was part of Imperial Brewing & Leisure Ltd and then later part of Scottish Courage after a merger with Scottish & Newcastle PLC / LTD.

In 2024, Martin, now aged 67, was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer most often caused by exposure to asbestos. 

Following his diagnosis, Martin instructed law firm Leigh Day to investigate his case. 

He is now looking to hear from his former colleagues who worked at Mansfield House, or anyone who worked in the building, as he believes they could have vital information about the presence of asbestos in the workplace. 

Leigh Day solicitor, Andrew Cooper, who represents Martin, said:  

“Many office buildings built in the 1960s and 1970s contained asbestos materials, including asbestos ceiling tiles. It would be very helpful to hear from anyone who also worked at Mansfield House in relation to what they can remember about the building. Any detail could be significant.” 

If you can provide information that may help Leigh Day in its investigation, please email acooper@leighday.co.uk or call 020 3780 0430.