BII veteran Alec Roud dies
Tributes have been paid to Alec Roud, BII founding member and chairman of the BII Wessex region, who died on Thursday (24 February).
He has been with the BII since 1982 and had chaired the Wessex region for more than 20 years.
BII chief executive Neil Robertson said: "Alec has been an outstanding servant of BII.
"He has supported members tirelessly in his region and has successfully balanced the needs of individual operators with the bigger picture".
Industry campaigner Robert Feal-Martinez, who runs the Carpenters Arms Motel in Swindon, Wiltshire, worked under Alec as secretary of the Wessex region BII and described him as a "good friend and colleague".
"When we talk of the great and good of this industry he was head and shoulders above them all.
"His honesty, integrity, and real desire to help those struggling should make others envious.
"Even when ill he stilled traveled miles to help members and encourage membership.
"When I left the Institute he understood why and supported my decision. I will greatly miss his frequent visits to my pub just for a chat and to mull over the industry.
"A very great man, and huge loss, not just to the BII, but to the industry as a whole."
On his website, industry consultant and former BII member Nigel Wakefield labeled Alec Roud "irreplaceable".
"He was a regional chairman who took his responsibilities seriously in respect of members and their problems, which there were many.
"Sadly he had been very ill for some time and he still continued to help members, until illness finally stopped him.
"He is irreplaceable in the BII as a totally fair, honest and committed chairman to improving the industry.
"Our most sincere condolences go to [his wife] Pam, and his family, he is an enormous loss."
The funeral is to be held at 2pm on Tuesday 8 March at St Mary the Virgin, Calverleigh, Devon, EX16 9PL.
Flowers or donations to the Licensed Trade Charity are welcomed, but people are advised to contact the funeral director WH Squire on 01884 252556 to advise.
