Pilot killed in crash was a £75m tycoon and envoy to Queen
A PILOT killed in a helicopter crash was a multi-millionaire businessman and the Queen’s personal representative in his home county, it emerged yesterday.
Barry Dodd, 70, was a self-made entrepreneur and devoted public servant who, along with his wife, was said to be worth £75million.
Police say he died when his Bell 206B helicopter crashed into a farmer’s field near Aldborough, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday and exploded into flames. An investigation into the cause of the accident is under way.
Tributes poured in yesterday to Mr Dodd, including from politicians and the Archbishop of York. Mr Dodd had devoted one day of his working week to unpaid public service for more than a decade. As founder of the Global Service and Manufacturing Group, he provided job opportunities for the young unemployed and ex-offenders in neglected parts of the country.
As well as being awarded an OBE and CBE for services to the economy and community, in 2014 he was made the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire – an honorary position appointed by the Queen.
Recipients act as the Crown’s representative in their county, accompanying royals on official visits to the region and leading community events.
The historic role, given to respected civic leaders, dates back to Henry VIII’s reign.
Mr Dodd’s widow Frances, with whom he lived in the village of Carlton-in-Cleveland, said: ‘ Barry was a wonderful man. He lived his life according to his values of honesty and integrity. He was intelligent, compassionate and visionary.
‘He enjoyed great business success but just as important to him was his devotion to public service and helping others. He was particularly proud to serve as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire. More than anything however, he was a loving family man and I will miss him enormously.’
A former ICI graduate trainee, Mr Dodd transformed his two-person start-up into the multi- national GSM Group, which has four plants across the UK.
The firm specialises in manufacturing labelling products, including barcodes and nameplates. It also runs an extensive sheet-metal operation for the car industry. The company was doing so well that Mr and Mrs Dodd received dividends of £8million two years ago. Mr Dodd’s profile on the Lord- Lieutenant’s website described him as an ‘entrepreneur and wealth creator especially interested in creating
‘Devoted to public service’
employment in rural areas.’ His public sector work included being chairman of the regional Local Enterprise Partnership, which distributes tens of millions in government and European funding to business, and the pro-chancellorship of the University of Hull.
Police said formal identification of Mr Dodd’s body has not yet been possible but his name was released as the only person on board the helicopter. Witnesses described the aircraft sounding as if it was in mechanical difficulty and then nosediving into the ground.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said: ‘I was shocked and saddened to hear of Barry’s death. He was greatly admired and valued across the county, working tirelessly with businesses and charities to encourage and inspire them in their enterprises. He will be sorely missed.’
Other tributes included Carl Les, the leader of North Yorkshire County Council, who said: ‘He added value wherever he went, helping other organisations and people.’
Julian Smith, the Government Chief Whip and MP for Skipton and Ripon, said: ‘The scale of his work and public service was enormously impressive and his tragic death is a great loss to us all.’