David J. C. Austin, who helped transform the family rose-breeding business into a globally recognized brand, passed away on July 18, 2026, at the age of 67. He was the son of David Charles Henshaw Austin, the founder of David Austin Roses, known for developing new varieties of garden roses that blend the charm and fragrance of old-fashioned types with the color range and repeat-flowering qualities of modern cultivars.

Born on August 15, 1958, David J. C. Austin grew up near Wolverhampton, where the family business was based in Albrighton, Shropshire. Educated at Abraham Darby School in Telford and later at the University of Salford, where he studied business, Austin gained valuable experience outside the rose industry before returning to the family company. From 1981 to 1993, he co-owned and managed a chain of six jewelry stores in the West Midlands, employing around 50 people, before assuming the role of managing director at David Austin Roses in 1990.

Founded by his father in 1969, David Austin Roses began to make a mark after the introduction of repeat-flowering varieties such as "Chaucer," which debuted at the Chelsea Flower Show to enthusiastic acclaim. The company quickly grew in stature and size, becoming internationally renowned for its breeding program that produced roses admired for their beauty, fragrance, and resilience.

Under David J. C. Austin’s leadership, the business expanded its operations significantly. By the end of the 20th century, it was conducting over 150,000 rose crosses annually and supplying garden centers across Britain, Europe, North America, and Asia, including markets in China and Russia. Following the death of his father in 2018, Austin took on the position of chairman, overseeing a global workforce of more than 425 employees and annual sales of around two million roses.

Austin emphasized the ongoing innovation in rose breeding, stating that the possibilities for creating new varieties remained vast. He remained actively involved in the company’s operations until shortly before his death, despite battling Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare neurodegenerative condition.

In recent years, the company created notable varieties such as “The King’s Rose” in collaboration with The King’s Foundation in 2025 to honor King Charles III. At this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, David Austin Roses unveiled a Cotswold-themed display with more than 700 blooms, including a new rose named after Sir David Beckham, highlighting the company’s blending of tradition and contemporary horticultural innovation.

Austin is survived by his second wife, Penny, his three children from his first marriage to Francine—who later divorced him—and three stepchildren.