Tributes paid to former Marston's chair David Thompson

Tributes have been paid following the death of former Marston's chair David Thompson, who passed away on 4 July after being ill with cancer for some years. He was 67 years old.

Thompson's family formed the Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries as a public company in 1890. He joined the board as managing director in 1986 and became chairman in 2001, overseeing the change of name to Marston's in 2006 after 116 years to reflect its expansion into a national pub player. He was succeeded by Roger Devlin in 2013.

Thompson was also a prominent member of the local community – he and his wife Marika served as parish councillors in Boningale, Albrighton, he was a member of the West Midlands Regional Development Agency and the first chairman of the former Wolverhampton Training and Enterprise Council, from 1991 to 1996.

Marston's chief executive Ralph Findlay said: "Those of us who worked with David will recall a man of tremendous intellect and vigour, who was passionate about the business, but also a convivial man with a great sense of humour. I count myself fortunate to have worked with him and was grateful for his advice on many occasions… Our condolences go to David's wife Marika and their family. David will be greatly missed."

Paying tribute on social media, Chris Soley, chief executive of Camerons Brewery, described him as an "absolute ambassador for our industry and a true gent".

President of St Austell Brewery James Staughton tweeted: "A very special man and someone who was always so generous with his praise… He will be sorely missed by all his many industry friends."