A MOTOR industry leader who was awarded an OBE for services to business in the North-East, has died aged 62.

Ashley Winter, from Hexham, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January and died just over two months later on March 30.

Known across Tynedale and the North-East for his support of good causes and charitable organisations, as well as his achievements in the business world, Ashley – known as Ash – spent almost 30 years at the helm of RH Patterson & Co Ltd.

As chairman and managing director of the Ford and Seat motor dealer, he worked with his fellow directors to transform and expand the business from a turnover of less than £20m to more than £250m when it was sold to Arnold Clark in 2007.

He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, father and uncle to join the family firm, alongside his brother, and climbed the ranks through roles including parts sales manager and sales director.

In 2008, he was appointed chief executive of the Retail Automotive Alliance. The buying group, owned by 25 private motor retailers, achieved a £2bn turnover.

His business background served him well when he was appointed chairman of the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland in 2010, having first joined the board in 2008.

Ashley worked, as chairman, for seven years to inspire charitable giving from the business sector after he and his family established their own fund with the foundation in 2006.

Having studied himself at Newcastle’s Royal Grammar School and Newcastle University, Ashley also supported the education sector through roles including chairman of the North East and Tyne and Wear Learning and Skills Councils and as a governor at Northumbria University.

His OBE in 2003 was followed by his appointment as High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear in 2012.

One of the last positions Ashley was forced to step down from was his role as chairman of the North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, which he had held since 2013.

NEAS chief executive, Yvonne Ormston, said: “Ash had a rare gift of being able to talk to every individual across all walks of life in a way that was personal to them and made them feel they had been listened to and valued.

“He made a point of meeting as many staff as possible – whether that was observing with our crews and emergency operations centre staff, at our annual staff awards where he had the honour of presenting his own award, or marching with staff in the Pride parade with his face painted. He was a true gentleman and will be sorely missed by us all.”

He leaves his wife, Gillian, and children Kelly, Lucy and Mark. His funeral took place at St Andrew’s Church, Corbridge, on April 11.