Committed family business proponent dies

Gerald Bowthorpe, third-gen former chairman of UK-based facilities management group OCS, has died of cancer aged 74.

Bowthorpe worked for OCS for 44 years, starting as a contracts manager in 1957, and eventually retiring as chairman in 2001.The business grew extensively during this time, and expanded into multiple markets outside of the UK.

OCS is now the UK's largest family-owned facilities management group with an annual turnover of more than £750 million. There are currently 20 family members working in the business.

Peter Armitage, current chairman of OCS, said in a statement: "He fought his illness with the dignity, optimism, and often humour, that was characteristic of the person we all knew."

Armitage added: "Gerald inherited his strong family values from his parents and grandfather, Frederick Goodliffe, who was the founder of OCS in 1900. As with previous generations, Gerald was committed to the business being held in trust which would be passed down from one generation to the next, which continues to be the company's ethos today."

Bowthorpe is survived by his wife and two children.