Alan McCutchion, a long-time servant of fruit importer JP and former president of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), has died after a battle against cancer. He was 62.
Alan was a director of JP for 22 years from 1979 until 2001, retiring in 2002 and remaining chairman of the company’s Pension Fund Trustees until his untimely death on Monday afternoon.
He was president of the FPC from 2004 to 2005 and is recognised as a key driver behind the FPC’s generic Eat in Colour campaign and was also an influential member of the organising committee of Re:fresh during his time as FPC president.
Alan was a Fruiterer, and served as an honorary assistant for the Worshipful Company for two years, before stepping down in May this year.
JP’s Dickon Poole spoke on behalf of the company and all of Alan’s old colleagues, saying: "Alan was a real gentlemen and a pleasure to work with. He was enthusiastic, dedicated and passionate about the produce industry, and made a significant contribution to it over many years."
Jim Rogers, current president of the FPC, said: “He was a well respected member of the industry and his commitment to the FPC during his time as president was extremely valued by the board. His passing is a loss to the fruit importing sector in particular and our thoughts and best wishes are with his family at this time.”
FPC chief executive Nigel Jenney, who worked closely with Alan during his tenure as president, added: “Alan’s passion for the UK fresh produce industry and his dedication to the FPC were widely recognised. His knowledge and experience in the industry were invaluable and will be greatly missed.”
Fellow ex-FPC president and former Lockwood Press managing director David Hope-Mason said: “I knew Alan for very many years - he was always the kindest of men and in his quiet way much respected for his gentlemanly and efficient approach to business. I'm very sad that he lost his battle with cancer so young.”
And Alan's immediate predecessor as FPC president Dick Brighten said: "Alan was a very experienced produce man and an extremely ethical and principled professional. he will be missed and our sincere considerations and sympathies go out to Christine and his daughters."
Gary Marshall, chairman of the Covent Garden Tenants' Association, said: "I would like to express the sadness of everyone in the market at this news and thank Alan for all the effort and work he put in on behalf of the British wholesale market sector. Our thoughts are with his wife and daughters."
Outside of work, Alan was a skilled exponent of both golf and sailing.
A devoted family man, he leaves wife Christine, three daughters and two grandchildren.
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