Ex PZ-Cussons boss launches debut novel

THE former chief executive of PZ Cussons has launched his second career – that of author.

Nigel Green, who led the Imperial Leather soap manufacturer for 10 years before retiring in 2006, last night unveiled his first book, an historical novel, at an event in Hale attended by around 200 people.

Mr Green from Bowdon, a who has had a keen interest in history all his life, has published The King’s Dogge – a story about Sir Francis Lovell, a close ally of Richard III.

The Kings Dogge – is a fictional account of the rule of King Richard III as seen from the perspective of Lovell – and is the first of a two book series written by Mr Green.

Over recent months, this period of history has been at the fore, with the excavation of Richard III in Leicester and the recent historical drama, The White Queen.

Mr Green says: “Richard III is probably the most notorious English King.  This book explains just how far a man will go in the name of loyalty.  The King’s Dogge weaves a story around true events and throws the actions of the king into a new perspective when viewed against the ambition of his wife, Anne Neville. I feel confident that readers will be intrigued with my findings.”

The novel has already earned some high praise. Professor Anthony Pollard of Teesside University and an expert on the War of the Roses said: “Historians have always, for some reason, perceived Queen Anne Neville, about whose character  almost nothing is known, as the very model of an idealised medieval wife and queen.

“We know nothing of the private relationship between her and Richard III, either as duke or king …To imagine her as a Lady Macbeth is brilliant. It enables Nigel Green to develop a completely new take on the actions of her husband, which only a novel could do.”

After retiring from PZ Cussons Mr Green has devoted himself to a charity in Sierra Leone as well as to his writing.