Midlands finance business boss dies at 65

A leading Midlands business figure whose career included spells with some of the region's top financial organisations has died, it emerged today.

Brian Woods-Scawen CBE had been suffering with a brain tumour.

The 65-year-old was involved with many leading institutions over the years.

He was a former executive chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Midlands and was chairman of the West Bromwich Building Society from February 2006 to July 2009.

Mr Woods-Scawen was also a board member of Advantage West Midlands and was involved with Birmingham Forward, Thinktank Birmingham, the West Midlands CBI, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Government Office for the West Midlands.

Jonathan Westhoff, the West Brom's chief executive, said: "We are very sorry to learn of the death of the society's former chairman.

"Brian was a strong supporter of mutuality and the role of building societies in the modern era and he gave his whole-hearted commitment to the society during his time with us."