Tributes after sudden death of Fenner non-executive director

A funeral service will be held at York Minster on Thursday to commemorate Mr Campbell, who had been a director at Hessle-based Fenner since 2005.

In a statement, the directors said: "His loss will be deeply felt by everyone who worked with David in the company and he will be much missed. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this very sad time."

Colin Cooke, chairman of Fenner, said: "David Campbell was a much liked and respected man. He had served the company well over the last five years and will be sorely missed by all his colleagues."

Mr Campbell, 60, was also chairman of Fenner's remuneration committee.

He was the chief executive of British Vita for over 30 years and was its chief executive from 2001 to 2005.

He was appointed as a non-executive director at Zotefoams in 2007, where he was a member of the audit, nominations and remuneration committees.

Fenner said that in the interests of board continuity, David Buttfield has agreed to stay on as senior independent director for a further three years following the group's annual general meeting on January 12.

Alan Wood will take over as chairman of the remuneration committee.

Fenner, which specialises in conveyor belts, has made a rapid recovery from the global recession with booming annual profits, sales and market share.