Derbyshire development tycoon Charles Clowes has passed away.
Clowes, chairman of Brailsford-based CWC group – the parent company of the Clowes Developments series of firms – died at his home on Sunday.
He founded the business in 1964 and subsequently built up a major property and development portfolio including industrial, office, retail and housing over more than 120 sites.
Clowes put together a consortium bid for the Derby County football club in 2004, but withdrew from the bidding.
One of Derbyshire’s most successful businessmen, he recently made a major play in London with a purchase of a 2.7-acre site in Battersea, and also bought the 116-acre site of the former Didcot A power station in Oxfordshire.
A CWC Group statement said: “It is with deep regret that the CWC Group announces that Charles Clowes, chairman and founder of the group, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday.
“Charles worked tirelessly throughout his life and was still doing deals almost to the day he died. He is succeeded by his son David Clowes as chairman of the group. In accordance with the group’s continuity planning and the sound foundations laid down by Charles Clowes, the group will continue to prosper under the control of the current board.”
