Tributes to ‘selfless’ business leader Pam

TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved member of the Leicestershire business community.

Construction lawyer and architect Pam Allardice founder of Allardice Associates in Hinckley, and chairman of the ProCon Leicestershire property and construction group, died on Monday morning last week. She had been ill for some time. She was a popular and highly regarded figure within the local business scene, particularly for her hard work in helping the ProCon organisation grow its work connecting property and construction professionals and celebrating the county’s best building projects with its annual awards.

Before qualifying as a lawyer specialising in construction-related matters, she worked as a project architect in the construction industry, first in New Zealand and then in the UK.

Her legal consultancy Allardice Associates – which will continue after her death – acts for employers and contractors, advising on a wide range of construction issues.

Prior to setting up the business she worked at the Howes Percival and Gateley law firms.

Launched in 2000, ProCon is a not-for-profit network run by members, which holds events throughout the year.

Membership is drawn from the professions that enable Leicestershire’s property and construction sectors to thrive.

She was also a regular speaker at construction events.

Allyson Jeffrey, director at HeadStorm Marketing, had worked closely with Pam as ProCon’s project manager since 2002.

Allyson said: “Pam was so passionate about all she did to make ProCon work and to deliver for its members. She was always so focused on making ProCon a success.

“Pam was great on the detail and had so much drive and ambition. She was always there for members and always there for me.

“That never faltered, even when she was poorly.

“Pam put so many hours in, she was an inspirational leader.

“ProCon has grown for 20 years and with more than 600 members it continues to grow.

“Pam recognised its potential and listened to what the industry wanted.

“She was also a passionate advocate for the city of Leicester and the county of Leicestershire.”

In a statement, the ProCon board said: “It is with enormous sadness that the board of ProCon Leicestershire mourns the death of its chair Pam Allardice.

“Pam was fundamental to the establishment, growth and ongoing success of the network of people and businesses in the construction and property industries in Leicestershire and Rutland.

“For 20 years she has selflessly devoted countless amounts of her time, energy, expertise and enthusiasm to ensure ProCon has flourished.

“The organisation’s first chair, Pam was a driving force in all 17 years of the hugely successful ProCon Leicestershire Awards.

“Pam also achieved much in her professional career as a property lawyer, including at Gateley, Howes Percival and in her own practice Allardice Associates.

“Colleagues and clients will miss her deeply.

“ProCon Leicestershire will be celebrating Pam’s outstanding contribution to the vibrancy of property and construction in her home county.

“A memorial service is being planned by Pam’s family who hope ProCon members will help to celebrate Pam’s life and contribution to the property and construction arena in Leicestershire.”

ProCon board member Umesh Desai, director of estates and facilities at De Montfort University, is succeeding Pam as chair of ProCon.