‘A truly philanthropic man and a legend in retail circles’
A recruitment boss who received a British Empire Medal for his services to charity has died, aged 73.
Craig Vidler, who spent much time living and working in Maidstone, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10 after a glittering career in which he also helped raise half a million pounds for good causes. He was owner and managing director of recruitment agency, Star Executives, for 30 years, before also heading up HR Go - a multi-million-pound firm which was founded in Dartford before moving its base to Ashford. Alongside his work, Mr Vidler was a long-term supporter of the Retail Trust charity, which provides physical, emotional, financial, vocational and educational wellbeing support to those working or retired from the industry.
In doing so, he raised more than £500,000 through his famous fly fishing days earning recognition in the Queen’s New Year honours list in 2016 in the process. Retail Trust chief executive Richard Boland said: “Craig was named our Life President of the Fly Fishing Alumni a couple of years ago, and as such will live long in our memories.
“His influence over four decades as one of the longest-serving ‘head hunters’ in retail, upon the progressive careers of many aspiring directors and CEOs, is legend. “A truly philanthropic man and a legend in retail circles going back over 50 years.” Mr Vidler moved away from Kent in his later years to Oxted in Surrey, where his funeral will be held on Monday, February 3 at 11.30am at Saint Mary’s Church. He leaves behind his wife Marjorie, three children and two grandchildren.