Tributes paid as leading Midlands business figure dies
A LEADING Midlands business figure whose career included tenures with some of the region’s leading financial organisations has died.
Brian Woods-Scawen CBE, who was 65, had been suffering with a brain tumour.
Mr Woods-Scawen, who was awarded the CBE in 2008, was involved with many leading institutions over the years.
He was a former executive chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Midlands, while he was also a former chairman of the West Bromwich Building Society, having joined the mutual as a non-executive director in January 2004.
He was appointed chairman in February 2006, a position he held until his retirement from the West Brom in July 2009.
He was a board member of Advantage West Midlands from its formation in 1998 until 2003 and also chaired the Coventry Solihull and Warwickshire Partnership.
He was also involved with Birmingham Forward, Thinktank Birmingham, the West Midlands CBI, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Government Office for the West Midlands.
Latterly he was a member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life exploring MP’s expenses.
He was also involved in many academic institutions including the University of Birmingham, from which he received an honorary doctorate in 2003.
He also served on the Birmingham bid for European Capital of Culture, Culture West Midlands, Warwick Arts Centre and was treasurer of the West Midlands branch of cricketing charity the Lord’s Taverners.
Jonathan Westhoff, the West Brom’s Chief Executive, said: “We are very sorry to learn of the death of the society’s former chairman.
“Brian was a strong supporter of mutuality and the role of building societies in the modern era and he gave his whole-hearted commitment to the society during his time with us.
“As a prominent figure in the business community, he will be particularly remembered for the pride he took in promoting the strengths and needs of the West Midlands region.
“Our condolences go out to the members of his family at this sad time.”
