Tributes paid to ‘business travel icon’ David Radcliffe

Saturday, 06 Jul, 2020 0

The family of former Hogg Robinson Group chief executive David Radcliffe has announced his death, aged 67.

Radcliffe, who had also been non-executive director of Wincanton plc, and was current non-executive director of American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), died on Saturday following a ‘recent deterioration in his health’.

A statement, issued on behalf of his family, described Radcliffe as a ‘travel industry icon’ who was inducted into both the UK and US Halls of Fame.

He worked at Hogg Robinson since 1978, led the largest management buyout of its kind in 2000 and took the business public again in 2006.

He was CEO of the Group in February 2018 when the recommended offer was received from Amex GBT and continued to serve as a non-executive director of the combined business following completion of the transaction in July 2018.

He leaves his wife Paula, two children Danielle and Mark, and four grandchildren.

GBT chief executive, Paul Abbott said: "David dedicated his life to the travel business. His passion and determination created opportunities for many thousands of people around the world.

"We have been honoured to have David on our board since the acquisition of HRG, and are proud to carry his legacy forward.

"He will be profoundly missed by many people in our business and across the industry. Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences are with David’s wife and family at this difficult time."

Former colleague Julie Van Aardt posted on the Facebook site Memories of the UK Travel Industry: "He was a great bloke. Worked his way up from post boy to the very top. I remember he offered to take my team out for a Chinese one evening…so we booked the Chinese restaurant at the Dorchester Hotel!"

Other comments described Radcliffe as a ‘formidable character’, ‘amazing’ and ‘charismatic’, with one former colleague saying it was a ‘privilege’ to work with him.

Lisa

Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.

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