Tributes to leading businessman David Grove

Tributes were paid today to the High Sheriff for the West Midlands and leading businessman David Grove, who died suddenly, aged 63.

Mr Grove was seven months into his ceremonial role as the Queen's representative for law and order in the region and died at home on Saturday night. The father of two and step-father of one was brought up in Penn and went to Wolverhampton Grammar School.

He was the son of former Beatties worker Della and engineer Leslie Grove.

He went to study economics at Nottingham University before spending a number of years working as a chartered accountant.

Since then, he has operated as a part-time chief executive and then chairman of Bilston-based Hill & Smith Holdings, spending 10 years turning around the fortunes of the company, having been approached by dissatisfied shareholders.

He founded Grove Industries Ltd in 1991 and the company now has a turnover of £300 million, with about 1,750 employees.

Read the full story in the Express & Star.