ONE of the North-East’s biggest charities has paid tribute to one of its trustees who has died after a short illness.
The County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF) had a long-standing relationship with Brian Manning, who was known across the North-East business community as chief executive of Esh Group.
Mr Manning, a former vice-president of the North East England Chamber of Commerce, passed away on April 28 following a battle with cancer.
CDCF managed the Esh Charitable Trust’s grant-making and Mr Manning went on to set up long- term endowment funds with the foundation. They included one in memory of Don Ross, a trustee of the Esh Group, to support mature students studying at Durham University.
Mr Manning became a trustee of CDCF in 2015 and the charity’s chief executive Barbara Gubbins said: “Brian really made an impact on our business planning, cost analysis and working with developers.”
She added: “He brought a new way of thinking, was approachable and very likeable with a friendly and warm smile. The whole North East community will miss him.”