A FOUNDING member of the Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) has died.

George Raymond Bower, better known as Ray Bower, died peacefully in a nursing home on December 20 at the age of 85. He helped found the association in 1970 together with seven other fleet managers when he was fleet manager for drinks company Schweppes.

An ACFO spokesman said: 'The founding principle of sharing knowledge, experience and expertise remains as valid today for the entire ACFO membership as it was for Ray and the handful of like-minded fleet managers more than 30 years ago.'

Bower was treasurer until 1991. He became a director when ACFO Ltd was formed and retired to Cambridgeshire in 1993. At the same time his contribution to ACFO was recognised with honorary life membership.