PAUL Blake, managing director of ACL, has died, aged 52. He had led ACL for five years, and been executive director of its parent, Chartered Trust, for a further 10 years.

Colleagues were quick to pay tribute to Blake, saying he was: 'decisive in his decision-making but was always concerned about the impact on others resulting from his actions. His management style was one of openness, fairness and, above all, absolute integrity.'

He leaves a wife Susan, and two grown-up children, Sean and Stephanie.