Tributes have been paid to Peter Ackroyd “a lifelong wool man of the highest calibre” who has died at the age of 76.

Mr Ackroyd who was chairman of the Campaign for Wool (CfW), gave more than five decades of distinguished service to the international wool and textile industry.

The body, whose patron is the King, educates consumers about the natural, renewable, and biodegradable benefits of wool, promoting it as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic and petrochemical-based fibres.

Mr Ackroyd, from Saltaire, who died suddenly on Saturday, served as President of the International Wool Textile Organisation and was Global Strategic Advisor to Australian Wool Innovation and Woolmark. He was also formerly the Vice President of the Strategy Committee for Premiere Vision and former President of the Bradford Textile Society.

CfW said Peter Ackroyd would be remembered for his “humour and ability to lighten any room with one of his speeches and fluency in many languages, along with his generosity, kindness and steady determination”.

placeholder image — CfW said Peter Ackroyd would be remembered for his “humour and ability to lighten any room with one of his speeches and fluency in many languages, along with his generosity, kindness and steady determination”.

Former chairman of the CfW, Sir Nicholas Coleridge said: “Peter was a lifelong Wool Man of the highest calibre, who knew every mill, every player and wool champion in the UK and beyond.

"He was a Great Man, a gentleman and a friend to so many of us. He will be profoundly missed by the entire wool community”.

Educated at Woodhouse Grove school and Bradford Technical College, Peter came from a textile family. His father was a director of Guiseley-based Carter & Parker, known for its Wendy Wools yarns.

He studied marketing and textiles and worked for Courtaulds Fibres in France.

He was marketing manager at National Wool Textile Export Corporation for 34 years, becoming its director general in 1991.

In 2006, he was awarded an MBE for services to the textile industry.

NWETC closed in 2008 after the government withdrew an export levy which funded its activities and Mr Ackroyd set up a textile consultancy business. He joined the Campaign for Wool in 2009.

CfW said Mr Ackroyd would be remembered for his “humour and ability to lighten any room with one of his speeches and fluency in many languages, along with his generosity, kindness and steady determination”.

It added: “He had an outstanding ability to bring together people from across the international supply chain, earning the admiration of colleagues, growers, manufacturers, designers and retailers alike.

"His counsel, integrity and lifelong devotion to the industry leave a permanent legacy that will continue to shape the future of wool for years to come.”