Kevin Bright, Selwood: 1958 - 2010

It is with regret that we report the death of Kevin Bright, chairman of Selwood, the UK pump manufacturer and rental company. Mr Bright, aged 51, passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Mr Bright was the longest serving director in the company's history. He joined Selwood in 1976 from colleague as a trainee accountant and was appointed group finance director in September 1986. He became group managing director in April 1988 and held this role until November 2007 when he took on the position of chairman.

In 1994, he led a successful management buy-out of The Pascon Group, consisting of the Selwood, Palmers and the Croker businesses, from its owner at the time, BTR plc.

After taking the business back into private ownership Mr Bright led Pascon through the expansion and subsequent sale of Palmers Scaffolding Ltd in 1999. Following the sale of Palmers, he led a new management team on the next stage in the company's history, culminating in the record performance in 2007.

In 2006, the 60th anniversary of Selwood, Mr Bright put his drive and commitment behind the fund raising efforts of a group of employees touring Selwood's UK locations by motorbike. This resulted in over £60000 being raised for Cancer Research UK and Riders for Health.

Selwood said; "Initially diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in 2005, the courage and determination with which Kevin fought this disease has been an inspiration to all who knew him.

"A man with an astute mind and demanding standards, Kevin will be sadly missed by all his colleagues and friends throughout the industry, and all our thoughts and condolences are with his family at this time of great sorrow."