Rod Hoare MBE

One of the best-known figures in the transport industry, Rod Hoare MBE, a former Heathrow Express chairman and British Airways Regional managing director, has died at the age of 77. He had been suffering from cancer.

A statement from the North Star management consultancy, where he had been chairman since 2007, said he was recognised as a highly-experienced transport professional with worldwide knowledge in aviation, railways, shipping and roads.

He held the Heathrow Express position for seven years from 1993 and was chief executive of Metronet, the consortium responsible for upgrading two-thirds of the London Underground, for four years from 1999 to 2003.

He had also served as group rail director for airport operator BAA plc, while his CV also included appointments at BOAC, P&O, Sally Ferries, British Caledonian, Brymon European and British Airways.

Between them, these posts saw him involved in developing transport in West and East Africa, South-East Asia, the US and the Middle East as well as in the UK. He was awarded an MBE in 1976 for furthering Anglo-Lebanese relationships.

Rod Hoare, who moved to Dorset in 2012, was known as a keen supporter of the arts and a golfer. He was married with four children and five grandchildren.

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OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

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Caroline Corfield-Rose, London

Rod was a strong leader and he put immense strength and energy into his work -- passion and commitment are my abiding memories of Rod at Heathrow Express build and launch.

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Andrew Sharp, United Kingdom

Rod Hoare was an inspirational leader and manager. Among many other things, he thought of (and led) the concept of the International Air Rail Organisation, seeing that airport railways could profitably exchange ideas, successes and failures.

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Andrew Todd, Manchester

Will be sorely missed, he brought a real focus and passion for customer service in all he did. RIP

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Andrew Sharp, United Kingdom

An inspirational and unforgettable leader.

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