An entrepreneur and a gentleman
TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Wales’ most successful property developers and entrepreneurs.
The life of Len Dovey has been celebrated after his death on October 11 aged 90.
Over a career spanning 70 years, Mr Dovey gained a reputation for being one of Cardiff’s true entrepreneurs. He was involved in a variety of businesses ranging from car dealerships, shipping, aviation, merchant banking and commercial property development.
His business career began soon after leaving the RAF, where he served as an engineering instructor. In the 1950s he set up his own motor dealership business – Windway garages.
The business quickly grew to establish a string of car dealerships throughout South Wales, ranging from Aston Martin, Morris, Ford and Land Rover.
Never content to rest on his laurels, he soon branched out into the marine business, borne from his love of boats, commissioning supertankers and shipping oil from the Middle East on behalf of Esso.
He was chairman of the Hawtin Group for more than 20 years which under his stewardship acquired a diverse and successful range of companies notably within the leisure sector.
Over the past 40 years Mr Dovey concentrated on the commercial property sector becoming one of the leading figures in the Welsh property market. In 2007, he took the Lifetime Achievement Award at the People in Property Awards Wales and his company Dovey Estates Ltd was awarded Welsh Property Developer of the Year in 2008.
Roger Thomas of Cooke and Arkwright Chartered Surveyors described Len as a “quiet, unassuming man of integrity, as well as being first-class entrepreneur”.
He said: “He was a true gentlemen and I’m sure he will be remembered for his business acumen over a wide range of interests, be it property, cars or boats – not many people can boast that”.
Richard Morgan, a lifelong friend and fellow property developer added: “Len took life’s opportunities by the horns and it is safe to say he lived it to the full.
“He was the best deal maker in town and famed for his handshake and his word being his bond. He will be greatly missed.”
Some of the Mr Dovey’s recent development successes included the construction and development of 63,000sq ft of retail space on Parc Plaza, in Bridgend and Neptune Court in Cardiff Bay.
Len’s daughters Lucy and Lindsay, said they were immensely proud of their father’s achievements and intend to continue with the family business and build on his legacy.