Tributes paid as Black Country Braveheart dies aged 72

Tributes to Charles Hanmer have poured in from industry bosses across the region.

Mr Hanmer, of Wordsley, was once dubbed the 'Black Country Braveheart' for his efforts to support and promote local businesses.

He died on December 1 at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital following a stroke.

He launched a raft of companies in the area and blazed a trail for Black Country industry as a senior officer with chambers of commerce and other business groups.

His famous sayings included: "If you want to talk positive about the Black Country then talk to me.

"If you want to talk negative, you've got the wrong person."

Current president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Ninder Johal said Mr Hanmer's passion for business would be sorely missed.

He said: "He was one in a generation, he was so much larger than life. He had so much to give to the region and he gave it all.

Mr Hamner was made an honorary member of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and Mr Johal said he was held in the highest esteem among business leaders.

"It was part of his DNA. He grew up and worked in the region all his life. He put his own interests second and the region's first," he said.

"He was a fantastic guy and will be missed."

Mr Hanmer began his career as a machine tool fitter at Bronx Engineering in Lye.

He later became managing director at Netherton Ales PLC - makers of the famous Ma Pardoe's brew - and he started his own first business, textiles and chemicals firm Kemtex in 1973 with £100, selling it seven years later when it was exporting to 30 countries.

His other companies included Goldtan of Mercia, Enterprise Leasing & Finance Ltd, Charles Advertising Ltd and Charles Group.

Among many other activities, he has been a member of the Dudley Zoological Trust, chairman of Dudley Crime Prevention Panel and Dudley Town Centre Partnership and past chairman of the Black Country Society.

Mr Hanmer leaves his wife of 48 years, Jill, and son James.

He was a well-known after dinner speaker and also appeared on the Esther Rantzen show to talk about regional dialects.

Richard Maskery, director of Charles Design and Marketing, in Water Street, Kingswinford, of which Mr Hanmer was still chairman, said: "Charles was involved in so many different things over the years, not just his companies. He met a lot of people and was known across the West Midlands.

"He loved talking and listening to people. If he was at an event he would go round the room and talk to everybody."