Joe Keeling, chairman of Keelings Group, has added his tribute to Mike Taylor, the group’s board member who died last week.
“It was with great sadness that I learnt of the death of my friend and colleague Mike Taylor last Tuesday,” he said. “Mike joined the Keelings Board in 2000 on his retirement from Marks & Spencer and has contributed greatly in the development of the company since then.
“I met Mike Taylor in 1986 on a business trip to Chile and we became good friends. I had many enjoyable meetings with him in Baker Street when he was director of Produce in Marks and Spencer. I never left a business meeting with Mike without feeling proud of being in the fresh produce industry. We both shared a passion for the produce industry and had many enjoyable business meetings and discussions on the topic. Mike’s passion for produce was second to none and we shared a feeling of excitement about the future of the fresh produce industry,” said Joe Keeling.
Taylor worked tirelessly in the interest of the Keelings company and was also a great support to the Keeling family, he added.
His three children, all working in the in the business, also added their thoughts. “Mike was a great support for me in the business, his advice was constantly sought and very generously given, Mike’s passion for the fresh produce industry was infectious and his business values inspirational, I will miss him,” said Caroline Keeling.
“Mike was an inspiration to me, he was instrumental in the development of the Keelings soft-fruit business,” said David Keeling.
“Mike was one of a kind and his enthusiasm drove him to even recently visit the two companies we acquired in the UK to give his continuing support and advice” said William Keeling.
“On behalf of myself, my wife Mary and our children William, Caroline and David,” added Joe, “we wish to express our deepest sympathy to Mike’s wife Jill, and his children Samantha, Rebecca and Michael Jr.”
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