Major Account Manager at the Youngman Group since 2005, he had specific responsibility for Speedy Hire and Brandon Hire, and, in addition, acted as the company’s Quality Auditor.

Before first joining Youngman in 1997, he held senior positions with a number of well-known plant companies including Marwood and Action Plant. In his earlier career Richard had been a director of his own plant hire business.

“Richard was one of life’s true gentlemen,” says John Bungay, Youngman’s Business Development Director. “Much admired by us all at Youngman, he was hugely knowledgeable and always keen to help, no matter what the challenge.”

“Possessing an encyclopaedic mind, Richard was a reference source for his colleagues, customers and friends within the industry. His untimely death came as a real shock. He will be sorely missed by us all.”

Chris Ball, chairman of the Ladder Association, shares this view. “Richard was an acknowledged expert in the ladder industry and a much respected contributor to the work of the Ladder Association. On behalf of everyone at the Association I extend our condolences to his wife, Patricia, and his son, Russell.”