Shocked civic leaders have paid tribute to the Queen’s personal representative in North Yorkshire after he died in a helicopter crash.

Barry Dodd, the lord lieutenant of North Yorkshire, was pronounced dead at the scene after the aircraft came down in a field near the village of Aldborough on Wednesday.

Dodd, an entrepreneur who was appointed CBE for services to the UK economy, was made the Queen’s representative to the county in September 2014 to mark his contribution to the region.

A North Yorkshire police spokesman said investigations into the cause of the crash were continuing. “While we await formal identification, we believe he [the pilot] is Her Majesty’s lord lieutenant for North Yorkshire, Mr Barry Dodd CBE. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time,” he said.

“Mr Dodd’s family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.”

The helicopter was a Bell 206B model and the pilot was the only person on board. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has begun an investigation.

Dodd, who was the chairman of the global graphic manufacturer GSM Group, created jobs in neglected parts of the North Yorkshire countryside, as well as employment opportunities for ex-offenders and unemployed young people.

Barry Dodd was described as ‘a great friend and champion’ of North Yorkshire. Photograph: North Yorkshire Police/PA

The archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said he was shocked and saddened to learn of Dodd’s death. “He was greatly admired and valued across the county, working tirelessly with businesses and charities to encourage and inspire them in their enterprises. He will be sorely missed,” he said.

Julian Smith, the government chief whip and MP for Skipton and Ripon, who worked closely with Dodd for many years, said: “Barry was enormously liked by many people and helped a great number in the business and wider community. The scale of his work and public service was enormously impressive and his tragic death is a great loss to us all.”

Carl Les, the leader of North Yorkshire county council, said: “He carried out his role as lord lieutenant of North Yorkshire with enormous dignity and pride. He added value wherever he went, helping other organisations and people – he will be greatly missed. He has been a personal friend of mine for the last 30 years and the county council has lost a great friend and champion.”

On his appointment as the Queen’s representative, Downing Street said he had devoted at least one day a week for the previous decade to unpaid public service, including as the chairman of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding enterprise partnership.



The honorary role, given to respected civic leaders, involves “upholding the dignity of the crown”, arranging royal visits, presenting awards on behalf of the Queen and leading community events.

Dodd lived with his wife, Frances, near the village of Carlton-in-Cleveland, according to the North Yorkshire lord lieutenancy website.