Tributes paid to 'tireless ambassador for Cornwall' Mark Duddridge
He was chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP
Tributes have been paid to Mark Duddridge, chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.
The business organisation says he died aged 60 at his home in South East Cornwall on Tuesday 16th of May.
It says he was a 'tireless ambassador for Cornwall, its businesses, and the wider economic and social aspirations of the county.'
He was appointed Chair of the LEP in 2016 following a 20-year career in the food industry with Samworth Brothers, including 15 years as managing director of Ginsters.
Glenn Caplin-Grey, Chief Executive of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP, said: “We are all deeply saddened by this devastating news and our thoughts are with Mark’s wife Amber and his family, friends and colleagues. Mark was a true champion of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, always hugely generous with his time and with an energy and passion that was an inspiration.
“His leadership at a regional and national level was always in the absolute interests of Cornwall and Scilly, and never his own. He worked tirelessly through the pandemic as chair of the Covid Economy Recovery Group to support businesses and communities across the region and was a driving force in setting Cornwall’s future economic ambitions so that no-one is left behind.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that Mark’s legacy is one of a more inclusive, ambitious and prosperous Cornwall. There was so much more he wanted to do, and it behoves all of us to carry his legacy forward.”
Allister Young, Chief Executive of Coastline Housing, also paid tribute to Mark. He said: “This is such sad news and we have barely begun to take it in. We are all deeply upset and extend our heartfelt condolences to Mark’s family and friends.
"Mark joined Coastline as our chair in 2021 and what made him so brilliant in his job was his commitment to trying to make sure communities in Cornwall have a bright, prosperous future and that everyone has a decent, secure home to live in. He regarded it as a personal crusade and that drive and passion to bring people together typified his approach.
“He had boundless energy and was always pushing us forward to do things better. But it was never in an adversarial way. His unassuming approach and personal modesty meant that people wanted to do their best for him, and that’s what made him such an exemplary leader. Above all he was a profoundly warm, personable and selfless character. He is a great loss to Cornwall and Scilly, and all those who knew him.”