Clifford O'Dell of Hayling Hardware in Southampton and chairman of BIRA Bank passed away last month, aged 71.
A tribute was paid to Mr O'Dell at the BIRA High Street Conference on May 15 by BIRA ceo, Alan Hawkins.

He said: "Clifford ran Hayling Hardware, amongst his many other commercial ventures.

"How right was it that he received his accolade of Honorary Membership, our highest honour, from his bedside just a few weeks ago.

"Over a 14-year period Clifford guided BIRA Bank through the banking crisis with no loss of profits, no liquidity issues and no depositor exodus."