Tributes paid to respected businessman Brian Woods-Scawen

A well-known Midlands business figure whose career included spells at Advantage West Midlands and Birmingham Forward has died.

Brian Woods-Scawen CBE – a respected face among businesspeople in the West Midlands – had been suffering with a brain tumour and passed away aged 65.

He was a former executive chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Midlands and also served as chairman of the West Bromwich Building Society.

Mr Woods-Scawen was also a board member of Advantage West Midlands and was involved with Birmingham Forward, Thinktank Birmingham, the West Midlands CBI, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Government Office for the West Midlands.

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."

*Read more tributes to Mr Woods-Scawen in this week's Birmingham Post, out on Thursday.