Beever & Struthers partner dies at 55

STEVE Boyes, a partner at accountancy firm Beever and Struthers, has died of cancer aged 55.

He passed away in his sleep on May 1 at St Catherine’s Hospice in Lostock Hall, Preston where he spent the last week of his life.

He leaves his wife, Karen, and four children.

Beevers described Mr Boyes as a “trusted and valued advisor to family companies” who worked on many deals and supported new businesses.

He qualified as an accountant in London before returning home to Manchester in 1991 to join Hoban Nelson Lang (HNL) and moved to Beever and Struthers in 2006 when the two firms merged.

Managing partner Phil Roberts said: “Steve’s tragic and untimely death is an enormous loss to all at Beever and Struthers. The thoughts of everyone at the firm and those in the wider professional community that knew and worked with Steve are with Karen and the children at this difficult time.”

Senior partner Chris Porritt said: “Steve was a consummate professional, liked and respected by all who knew him and a credit to himself and his profession. He will be greatly missed and never replaced.”

A service is being held today at 1.30pm at All Saints’ Church, Blackburn Road, Higher Walton, Preston. It is an informal celebration of Steve’s life with mourners asked to wear bright colours and to make donations to the St Catherine’s Hospice charity rather than provide flowers.