Avison Young has paid tribute to former North East property expert Tony Wordsworth, who passed away this month.
Wordsworth was a director in Avison Young's national offices team and based in its Newcastle office, specialising in office agency and development. He spent the early part of his career working for property consultancy Lamb and Edge during the 1980s, before it was acquired by Avison Young.
In recent years Wordsworth worked on some of the city's most high-profile office developments, including the Reuben Brothers' Bank House scheme which is now fully let and their Pilgrim Place 1 building.
Gordon Hewling, regional managing director, principal: building and project consultancy at Avison Young, said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we let you know that Tony Wordsworth passed away suddenly on Friday. Tony was a much loved and respected member of the Avison Young family and will be greatly missed.
"Many of us have known Tony as a friend and colleague for decades. He joined Lamb and Edge, which was to become Avison Young, in September 1985 and has been our office agent in Newcastle ever since, building a reputation for professionalism, humour and kindness that meant everyone enjoyed his company.
"The messages we have already received from Tony’s former colleagues, fellow agents and others within the wider business community are a measure of the affection with which he was held, and make us reflect how lucky we have all been to have known and worked with Tony. Above all, Tony was a loving family man and our thoughts are with his wife, Carolyn, and their boys James, 19, and Fraser, 18."
Chris Cheap, principal and managing director, transactions at Avison Young, also paid tribute to his colleague in a LinkedIn post. He said: "I have struggled to comprehend this news since I heard last week. Tony was a friend, colleague and one of the best office agents around. He will be deeply missed by all at Avison Young UK and well beyond. My thoughts are with Tony’s family."