Lexington co-founder Rachel Lindner dies aged 62

Rachel Lindner, the co-founder of Lexington Catering, has died suddenly aged 62.

Lindner founded Lexington with Mike Sunley, Katharine Lewis and Robert Kirby in 2002, and remained a director of the caterer until her death this week.

Her career began over 35 years ago running commercial hotels and restaurants before she turned to contract catering.

It was at High Table Catering that Lindner met Mike Sunley, with whom she went on to develop Lexington alongside Lewis and Kirby.

Lindner was responsible for operations and CSR activities at the contract caterer as it grew over the last 21 years and was also credited with the development and launch of Lexington Reception Services in 2014.

Sunley said: "Rachel was the very essence of Lexington; a caring nature, generous with her time and energy and such great fun to be around. She was also a very canny, highly astute businesswoman, a force to be reckoned with at board meetings and a joy for our clients, customers and teams to be around. She was a consummate foodie and had an amazing sense of style and creativity.

"A huge part of Lexington's continued success, she was much loved by everyone and will be sorely missed."

Lexington chair Julia Edmonds said that Lindner was "an amazing person to work with".

She added: "As a founding director, she epitomised all that was great about our business and she had a huge impact on the many people she worked with throughout her career. Rachel was indeed a very special person and we will miss her terribly."

Fellow Lexington director Katharine Lewis said: "My very dear friend of nearly 30 years. We shared so many significant moments growing a thriving business together, we laughed a lot and navigated many a challenge over the years and Lexington would not be what it is today without her. I, along with so many, will miss her dreadfully but she will be in my heart always."

Matt Wood, managing director at Lexington, said: "It has been such a privilege to work alongside Rachel.

"Rachel was loved by everyone at Lexington and she will be remembered for her professionalism, creative spirit, kindness and insatiable wit.

"I, along with all at Lexington, will miss her dearly."