Scarborough pays tribute to Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Police are awaiting formal identification but it is believed Mr Barry Dodd died in a helicopter crash near Aldborough, Boroughbridge yesterday (Wednesday May 30).

Investigations are ongoing to establish what caused a helicopter to crash at 1.23pm.

Scarborough has now paid tribute to the "brilliant" and "positive" who promoted and supported the area.

Mr Dodd was the first chair of the York and North Yorkshire with East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership and he was also Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council of the University of Hull and Chair of the joint Hull, York Medical School.

MP for Scarborough, Robert Goodwill said: "I am absolutely devastated to hear the terrible news about Barry Dodd CBE. Not only was he a phenomenally successful businessman but he had an amazing commitment to public service in Yorkshire.

"As chair of the LEP he always gave freely of him time to help others to establish and build business and employment and as the Lord Lieutenant he carried out an important ceremonial representing the Queen in North Yorkshire.

"I am proud to have known him as a friend and fellow classic car enthusiast. His are shoes that will be impossible to fill. I am so sorry for his wife Frances and his family."

In 2004, Mr Dodd committed himself to devoting at least one day per week to unpaid public service.

A spokesman for Scarborough Business Ambassadors said: "We are shocked and devastated by this event.

"Barry was a strong supporter of the business community in the area, attending all the key events and helping to encourage and inspire the local business world.

"As a former leader of the Local Enterprise Partnership, he was a main force behind moves to upgrade the A64, and as a leader of the University of Hull, he was a main player in the world of education and how it could link with business."

Mr Dodd was a highly successful entrepreneur and owned and ran a number of companies – including the creation of a multinational Global Services and Manufacturing Group with four manufacturing plants in the UK.

He was Chairman and major shareholder in two high tech software and systems companies and a fast growing distributor of mobile computing products.

Ed Asquith, editor of The Scarborough News, said: "It's a terrible shock. Barry was a great personal friend and was the first judge of the Scarborough Business Awards.

"He then attended annually, giving the main speeches, inspiring and congratulating the success of local businesses and all the participants.

"He was in Scarborough recently for a dinner at the TEC on Filey Road, where he unveiled a plaque to open to the new college.

"He also supported the creation of the UTC in Scarborough and attended the official opening.

"He was a highly successful businessman and held many high offices, but he was also a brilliant, friendly, positive, helpful man who was great company to be with."

John Senior on behalf of Scarborough Lifeboat crew said: "Barry was a passionate supporter of all things Scarborough and played a central role in getting HRH Duke of Kent to our Lifeboat Station naming ceremony.

"His energy, friendship and guidance will be sadly missed, however I am confident that his inspirational spirit will endure through the many groups and institutions he helped and encouraged.

"A very sad day it is, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and beloved wife Frances."

County Councillor Carl Les, North Yorkshire’s Leader, said: “Wherever he went Barry was a positive influence.

“He carried out his role as Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire with enormous dignity and pride; he added value wherever he went, helping other organisations and people – he will be greatly missed. He has been a personal friend of mine for the last 30 years and the county council has lost a great friend and champion.”

Scarborough businessman Peter Wilkinson, who was the leading figure behind the creation of the Scarborough UTC and a key figure behind the introduction of engineering week, said: "Barry Dodd was just a super, super guy, words cannot describe my sadness. We have lost a true friend of Scarborough - Barry was so supportive of Scarborough's renaissance.

"I worked with him and Nick Taylor and the Executive Team on several Yorkshire Forward initiatives which had a significant effect on our being awarded'the UK's most enterprising town. This award enabled Scarborough to also being awarded Europe's most Enterprising Place the following year."

Peter, who is chairman of Scarborough Business Ambassadors, added: "When Barry became the chairman of the Local Enterprise Partnership, he was a constant visitor to the Scarborough Business Ambassador Forum events including Scarborough Science and Engineering Week where he was a regular speaker.

"He was a huge fan of the University Technical College being an advocate of career based education, where his support will be hugely missed.

"Without doubt his friendship to us all will be truly missed but his legacy as a huge supporter of our town is indelible. Our most sincere love and affection go to his beloved wife Frances."