The industry remembers William Baxter, co-founder of BaxterStorey

Tributes have been paid to William Baxter, co-founder of contract caterer BaxterStorey and long-standing chair of Hospitality Action, who has died aged 63.

During an illustrious career Baxter founded a series of trailblazing catering companies that changed the landscape of the foodservice sector in the UK. Latterly as chair of Hospitality Action he spearheaded a number of schemes that have benefited thousands of people working across the industry. Read our full obituary here.

The Caterer has received many tributes to Baxter, who was known as Bill, which are compiled here. If you would like to submit a tribute, please email emma.lake@thecaterer.com

Alastair Storey, chairman and chief executive of BaxterStorey's parent company WSH, said: "I am devastated to hear of the very untimely passing of my friend, former colleague, fellow founder of our business and industry great, William Baxter.

"William was a very special person with an incredible ability to engage with everyone and he is much loved by all of us in the hospitality industry. He was an entrepreneur to the core and his enthusiasm and generosity of spirit were an inspiration to so many of us.

"I consider it a privilege to have known him for so many years and we had a lot of fun working and relaxing together. William always saw the good in everyone and was extremely adept at helping all of us to give our best.

"His work in recent years for both Hospitality Action and Scannappeal is a testament to his desire to make the world a better place. We will miss him terribly."

Mark Lewis, chief executive of Hospitality Action, said: "William's generosity and warmth of spirit was unparalleled. He brought the same joie de vivre to his chairing of Hospitality Action as he did to every other aspect of his life. Being around William for any length of time taught you a valuable lesson: live life to the full, and do good to others.

"William was an inspiring leader, and always encouraged us to be brave and to innovate.

"It's no exaggeration to say that the lives of many thousands of hospitality families have been improved as a direct result of his dedication to Hospitality Action."

Wendy Bartlett, co-founder of Bartlett Mitchell, now BM, said: "Bill is an icon in our industry and someone absolutely everyone loved and aspired to be like.

"He was a big reason behind why we started BM. He was an inspiration and a mentor; when I first mentioned launching the business to him, he said ‘just get on with it'.

"He has been my greatest supporter, a very good friend and tirelessly dedicated to this industry. He made a massive impact – we will all miss him terribly."

Clive Jacobs, chairman of The Caterer and parent company Jacobs Media Group, said: "William Baxter was a creative and charismatic leader, whose natural business acumen was integral in creating companies that have transformed the foodservice sector.

"As chair of Hospitality Action he was pivotal in driving forward schemes that have provided support to many thousands of people working in the industry and had an immeasurable impact. His generosity and natural charm will be enormously missed by the wider industry."

Bill Toner, chief executive of CH&Co said: "Bill is someone I've admired and respected for many years. What he has achieved on a business level is outstanding, and what he has given back to the industry and his commitment to Hospitality Action has been wonderful.

"He will be missed and recognised as an industry legend. My heartfelt condolences go to his heartbroken family."

Robin Mills, managing director of Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: "We have lost one of the giants of the foodservice industry.

"I had the privilege of knowing Bill both professionally and personally. He was a hugely generous individual, full of warmth and good humour. He leaves behind a lasting legacy, not only in our industry, but also through the enormous amount of time he spent supporting charities and his local community.

"He was wonderful company and will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with his wife and family, of whom he was so proud."

Robert Cook, who has led several casual dining businesses and is co-owner of the Cookie Jar in Alnwick, said: "William was a legend of the industry and gave so, so much back.

"I had the privilege of being on the board of Hospitality Action with William as chair. He conducted the meetings with purpose and meaning laced with good humour – we had fun.

"God bless him and may he rest in peace."

Andrew Guy, former chief executive of City Centre Restaurants (now the Restaurant Group) and trustee of Hospitality Action, said: "It was a pleasure and privilege to be a trustee of Hospitality Action for many years under his inspirational leadership."

Nathan Jones, co-founder of Harbour & Jones, said: "A true LEGEND of foodservice and an inspiration to business owners in foodservice."

Kate Nicholls, UKHospitality chief executive, said: "The news of Bill's passing is incredibly sad and my sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.

"Bill was a real trailblazer in hospitality, with such a passion to help the sector and the people within it - you only have to look to his leadership of Hospitality Action to see his charitable nature in action. He also kickstarted and championed the sector's employee health and wellbeing journey, developing the Employee Assistance Programme.

"He was incredibly generous with his time to so many people across the sector, including to myself when we formed UKHospitality, and he will be greatly missed."

Patrick Dempsey, former managing director of Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants, said: "Bill was one of the nice guys of our industry and it was a privilege to have known him over many years. He was infectious with his enthusiasm and made such a difference at Hospitality Action when he took over as chairman. He will be truly missed and so sad to have left us so early in his life. My sincere condolences to his family and someone I will not forget."

Simon Houston and Dave Hawkes, co-founders of Houston and Hawkes, said: "Kind, generous and thoughtful, the magic of Bill was how he made you feel. We value deeply the advice he offered, the wisdom and insight he gifted and the clarity of vision that inspired. Bill had an uncanny knack of adding perspective and humanity to every situation reminding you that people are always the priority. His passion to make a difference through the charities he supported and the fund raising events he championed have left a lasting legacy and memories we cherish. Above all, it's Bill's humanity and friendship that we will miss - unique, inspirational and always a force for good, a true great. Our love and heart felt condolences go out to Fiona, Callum, Charlie, Miles and Annie."

Karen Clarke, database manager at BaxterStorey, said: "I had the privilege of working with William for many years and what a wonderful man he was. I work in sales and at the time was working in telesales.
"He would always come into our office and ask how we were getting on, appreciating how difficult that role was. He was always full of encouragement and suggestions even offering to make calls - he certainly was one of a kind. William also organised for BaxterStorey to sponsor my daughter when she was an aspiring young gymnast so she could travel the world competing in high level competitions and he organised for BaxterStorey to donate money to her club for new equipment, something they were so very grateful for.

"It was such a pleasure to have known him and he will be so very sadly missed. I send my heartfelt condolences to Fiona and his family."