Algernon Charles Holland

Algernon Charles Holland (10 February 1919 – 2001) was a British businessman, and the founder of Amplifon, a company that supplies hearing aids.

Early life Holland was born on 10 February 1919 in Horsham, Sussex. His father, Algernon Holland, a Captain in the Royal Air Force, died in the First World War, on 21 September 1918, before he was born. His father was serving with 249 Squadron, Seaplane Station, Dundee, when their Curtiss-H16 "Large America" flying boat "struck a ship's mast on the river Tay, crashed and burst into flames". He is buried at the Dundee Eastern Necropolis. The MBE was awarded in 1943 for his services in Greece. In 1948, the US awarded him the Bronze Star Medal.

In 1971, he founded the independent not-for-profit Centre for Research and Studies (CRS) in Milan, to co-ordinate research into audiology and related areas.

Personal life In 1950, Holland married Anna Maria Formiggini. She has been a director of Amplifon since 1980, chair since 1990, and honorary chair since 2011.

Their daughter Susan Carol Holland has been chair of Amplifon since 2011.

Algernon Holland died in 2001.

Legacy The Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons was established in his honour, with Falklands war veteran Simon Weston as head of the judging panel.