Geoffrey Cutting MBE, a former director of the organisation now known as the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES), died on 13 June aged 88.
Mr Cutting was appointed chief executive of the Association of Heating, Ventilating and Domestic Engineering Employers in 1961. Three years later he presided over its rebranding as the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA).
He was the founding director of the Confederation of Associations of Specialist Engineering Contractors (CASEC), established in 1961 to represent the wider specialist engineering contracting sector. It was replaced in 1993 by the Specialist Engineering Contractors' (SEC) Group.
In 1969 he received an MBE in recognition of his services to the heating and ventilation industry. He remained in post until his retirement in 1989.
Mr Cutting enjoyed a parallel career with the National Landlords Association, of which he was chairman from 1983 to 2001 and continued to serve as president until his death.
He is survived by his wife Barbro, two of his four children and three grandchildren.