Tributes have poured in for Jon Ladd, the former chief executive of the British Urban Regeneration Association, who passed away last weekend after a short illness

Ladd, who in 2007 moved to be chief operating officer of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), Europe, Middle East and Africa, was just 45 when he died.

Richard Rosan, worldwide president of the ULI, led the tributes, saying Ladd was a “wonderful team member” who helped to improve and expand the Institute’s organisational efficiency. “We are deeply saddened over Jon’s passing. He was an outstanding individual who immediately became a core member of our staff,” Rosan said.

Jackie Sadek, chair of the British Urban Regeneration Association (Bura), said the board was “devastated” at his death. She said: “This is a tragic loss. Jon made a massive contribution to the regeneration sector and was a loyal servant to Bura, seeing the organisation through good times and bad.”

Ladd joined the Commission for New Towns, the organisation that later became English Partnerships, in 1993. He moved to Bura in 2000, and was appointed chief executive in 2002. During his time the profile of the sector increased hugely, and he was instrumental in setting up Business Improvement Districts.

Postscript

Ladd is survived by his former wife, Liz, and his daughter, Daisy.