Tim Wray has died aged 69

Former Towner & Townsend chairman Tim Wray has died following a short illness.

Wray, who spent 45 years with the firm, retired from the business in 2016.

Vincent Clancy, Turner & Townsend chairman and chief executive said: “It is with deep sadness that I announce the death of our former Chairman Tim Wray, aged 69, following a short illness.

“Tim relocated to South Africa in 1982 to establish the firm’s first business outside of the UK, and following great success in expanding its reach across a number of countries in Africa, Tim was appointed Turner & Townsend’s chairman and senior partner in 1999.

“Tim was also a strong advocate of adding value to the communities in which we operate. For example, he established many toy libraries in South Africa, to help disadvantaged families.

“It was a privilege to know Tim personally and to work alongside him for 20 years. He was a visionary and a strong leader – astute, generous and charismatic. He will be greatly missed by all in the Turner & Townsend family.”

Wray joined Turner & Townsend in 1971 as an assistant quantity surveyor based in Darlington when the firm had six offices in the UK.    

When he retired in 2016 the business had a turnover £409m, 4,278 staff and 97 offices in 41 countries.

During his time as chairman Wray won three Queen’s Awards for export.