The managing director of Essex Training and Enterprise Council and Business Link, Michael Clegg, has died after a long battle with cancer.

Mr Clegg, 56, who took up his role in 1993 after a successful career in manufacturing, died on Sunday.

Mr Clegg, who lived in Colchester, leaves wife Stephanie, daughter Anna and step-daughter Rebecca.

In a statement issued today Essex TEC said: "Michael was highly respected throughtout the Essex business community and had remained actively at the helm of Essex TEC and Business link until the last.

"Under his steady and caring leadership over the past seven years the Essex TEC and Business Link partnership has grown from strength to strength.

"Through his genuine commitment to quality of service and customer focus, and his true dedication to developing the personal potential of his staff team he has placed the organisation in a sound position for the forthcoming transition to the new Learning and Skills Council and Small Business Service which becomes operational in April 2001.

"In the interim period the operating issues of both organisations will be overseen by Carole Taylor as acting chief executive whilst on-going partnership issues will be overseen by Pat Smith, head of development."

Essex TEC chairman Chris Paveley said: "Michael always had a strong belief in Essex as a county of great potential and entrepreneurship and has been a leading light in driving partnership issues forward.

"He will be greatly missed both within the Eseex TEC and Businsess Link organisation and also by the wider Essex business community as a whole."

Sadly missed - Michael Clegg

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