Charles Clowes, one of Derbyshire's most successful developers who was responsible for a number of key buildings in the region, has died.
Mr Clowes, chairman of the CWC Group, based at Brailsford, died at his home yesterday.
It is understood that Mr Clowes, who was one of the county's most successful and influential property professionals, had been unwell for some time.
He founded his business in 1964, building it into one of the strongest and largest privately owned property development groups in the UK, with an impressive record of commercial, retail and residential development.
Over the years, the company's development arm - Clowes Developments - has been involved in some key local projects, including industrial parks, which now employ thousands of people.
Five years ago, Mr Clowes bought a 300-acre industrial and distribution portfolio from Wilson Bowden Developments for £46 million, increasing the value of Clowes Developments overnight.
And in 2011, his firm handed over a giant distribution warehouse in Castle Donington to Marks & Spencer to service their online operations.
Today, the one million sq ft distribution centre is providing jobs for up to 1,000 people.
In a statement, the company said: "It is with deep regret that the CWC Group announces that Charles Clowes, chairman and founder of the group, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday.
"Charles founded the group in 1964 and has built a large and highly successful property business in the UK.
"He worked tirelessly throughout his life and was still doing deals almost to the day he died.
"He is succeeded by his son David Clowes as chairman of the group.
"In accordance with the group's continuity planning and the sound foundations laid down by Charles Clowes, the group will continue to prosper under the control of the current board."
The firm is currently building a new business park in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, over the border in Leicestershire. The buildings include a new head office for estate agents and chartered surveyors Fisher German.
Thirty years ago, the firm started to do more work in London, which prompted it to open a second office in the capital.
CWC Group, which employs 37 people, also owns more than 120 properties across the UK - including a mix of industrial, commercial, office, retail and residential property in and around Derby.
The success of Mr Clowes as a businessman helped make him one of the wealthiest people in the region.
His name regularly appeared in the Sunday Times Rich List. In 2013, it was reported that Mr Clowes had a personal wealth of £182 million.
He was also a keen Derby County supporter and in 2004, when the club was £30 million in debt, he put together a consortium bid, along with former Rams chairman Stuart Webb.
However, he later withdrew from the bidding.
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