instruments in Britain, including at the last concert of his life given at Guildhall, London, in 1848. Although he liked Broadwoods, he appears to have preferred the French make Pleyel. 1980s and 1990s After a long period of decline ending in near bankruptcy, the business was rescued in the mid 1980s by a consortium headed up by Geoffrey Simon, a keen amateur pianist and successful businessman from Birmingham. Mr Simon took on the mantle of CEO and under his stewardship John Broadwood & Sons entered a period during which a number of innovations were developed. These included the limited edition 'Linley piano' an upright piano designed by Viscount Linley and his partner Matthew Rice, plus the design and patenting of the 'barless' grand piano in 1997 which was manufactured by Birmingham firm of Ladbrooke Pianos, who produced half a dozen a year. 2000s The company holds a royal warrant as a manufacturer and tuner of pianos. Following the death of Geoffrey Simon in 2006, the company was acquired in 2008 by Alastair Laurence, a piano builder and technician with family ties to the Broadwood firm dating back to 1787. To coincide with the change in ownership, new restoration and conservation workshops are now located at Finchcocks, Goudhurst, Kent, England. Broadwood archives The company's archives are held at the Surrey History Centre. References External links John Broadwood & Sons Piano Manufacturers – Surrey County Council Johann Christian Bach: Sonate G-Dur, allegro John Broadwood & Sons Grand Piano (16000, London 1843) – The Piano in Polish Collections British Royal Warrant holders Companies based in Kent Piano manufacturing companies of the United Kingdom British brands Piano makers