Joe Inzani, managing director of independent builders merchant Lawsons, was involved in a fatal car accident on Christmas Eve, and died in the early hours of Christmas morning.
Mr Inzani was appointed md of Lawsons in 2005, and under his leadership the company became increasingly successful, growing from eight branches to 19. Last November the company bought the two-store independent hardware business Poores of Acton on the retirement of managing director John Poore.

Lawsons' finance director Dave Weller, who has taken on the temporary role of acting md, told diyweek.net: "I have enjoyed the privilege of Joe Inzani's friendship for nearly 15 years. This tragedy has hit everyone at Lawsons very hard.

"Joe epitomised our 'family values, professional service' approach to business. He was a strong family man and was professional in his dealings with staff, customers and suppliers. Joe never gave second best and his stewardship of this company over the last eight years built a very strong foundation for the future. He did it all with a smile, a joke and a wonderful human touch. We will continue to honour his beliefs and high standards going forward. He will be sorely missed."

Meanwhile, John Poore said Mr Inzani's death was "dreadful news", and described him as "one of the gentlemen of the trade.

"Lawsons is very much a family business and that was one of the incentives for me that I was leaving it with a decent family business. Joe certainly represented that extremely well. He did a lot of good for Lawsons clearly, when you see what he had achieved."

Mr Inzani leaves a wife, Bernadette, and children Daniel, Jessica, Rosie and Frankie.