Sir Graeme Odgers, who has died aged 91, will be remembered for his huge contribution to the economic and arts life of Kent with a “steely determination” to get things done.

He was a doyen of British business, who led companies including British Telecom and Tarmac as well as holding key government advisory roles.

In 1993, he was appointed chair of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, which led to a knighthood in 1997.

But Kent owes him a special debt of gratitude for his experience, knowledge and generosity.

In particular, he chaired the Marlowe Theatre Development Trust in Canterbury and supported the Turner Contemporary in Margate.

He also led the county’s inward investment arm, Locate in Kent, and later the Kent Economic Board.

Sir Graeme, who lived in Sandwich with his wife Susan, died on May 8.

Close friend Peter Williams, who was vice chair of the Theatre Development Trust, says he will be profoundly missed.

“We needed a chair with a profile beyond the county of Kent if we were to succeed. Graeme Odgers, whose CV was dauntingly impressive, was that man,” he said.

“Graeme showed a steely determination to find the most effective way to reach the objectives that emerged year on year.

“My fondest memory, however, is that when this captain of industry needed to note a course of action, or mull over a problem, there was no recourse to a laptop. He simply reached into his pocket and produced a stub of pencil to record his aide-mémoire.

“The trust raised £4.5 million towards the new theatre and few contributed more to this magnificent achievement than Graeme Odgers.

“He will be profoundly missed, both by his family and friends, and by those who never knew the contribution he made to the economy and prosperity of east Kent.

“But above everything, he was a gentleman.”

Sir Graeme received honorary doctorates from both the University of Kent and Christ Church University and was awarded the Freedom of the City of Canterbury in 2015.

The then leader of the city council, John Gilbey said: “Sir Graeme is known for his calmness and his determination.

"He is a man of upstanding and outstanding reputation and has contributed to this city hugely through the Marlowe.”

“He was an incredibly generous person who was always interested in others, rather than talking about himself….”

Sir Graeme, who was born in South Africa where his father was a leading engineer with the Anglo American mining company, was perhaps destined to be a business leader.

He gained an engineering degree from Cambridge University and then achieved coveted Baker Scholar status at Harvard Business School in Boston.

It led to positions in banking, finance and setting up an executive recruitment company which his brother Ian later took over.

The pair were also instrumental in supporting the establishment of the Kent and Medway Medical School in Canterbury in 2020.

Ian, 87, who lives in Eastry, says they fought like most young brothers but then “got on like a house on fire”.

“He was an incredibly generous person who was always interested in others, rather than talking about himself and what he had achieved,” he said.

“But he also possessed an absolute mindset to get things done.”

Sir Graeme was a grandfather and a recent great-grandfather.

He leaves two daughters, Mary and Juliet and a son, John, from his marriage to his first wife, Diana. They also had a daughter, Victoria, who tragically died in a car accident aged 14.

A private family cremation will take place later this month but a memorial service is planned for Tuesday, July 1, at 1.30pm at St Clements Church, Sandwich.