News / Obituaries
Businessman and former Bristol City chairman dies aged 75
Tributes have been paid to the visionary business leader Keith Dawe following his death at the age of 75.
Dawe, widely regarded as a pioneering entrepreneur, helped shape the modern recruitment sector.
He founded the recruitment firm Sanderson back in 1982, laying the foundations for what would become a global talent solutions business.
What began as a small Bristol-based company grew into an international operation employing more than 500 people, with offices across the UK, Ireland, India, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Keith Dawe and Stephen Lansdown holding aloft the League One trophy after completing a historic double in 2014/2015 season – photo: Bristol City
Before launching Sanderson, Dawe was already ahead of his time realising the potential of the IT industry.
In the 1970s he founded Tamar DP, one of the UK’s first IT contract recruitment businesses, demonstrating early vision in a sector that was still in its infancy.
John Ball, chief executive of Sanderson, paid tribute to Dawe, saying his principles “remain embedded at the heart of the company”.
He said: “Keith’s influence will continue to guide us. His principles are embedded in everything we do. As we look to the future, we are committed to honouring his legacy by building on the success he created and continuing to grow Sanderson into the market-leading recruitment and talent solutions company he envisioned.”
Dawe was also fondly remembered at Ashton Gate.
He joined the Bristol City board in 1996, around the same time as Stephen Lansdown, and later served as chairman from 2012 until 2019.
He witnessed one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, including the historic double in the 2014/15 season, when Bristol City won the League One title and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
Dawe co-founded the investment firm TIMESTWO Investments in 2019 to support entrepreneurs in the recruitment sector – photo: TIMESTWO Investments
Dawe died on New Year’s Eve. As a mark of respect, Bristol City players wore black armbands during their home fixture against Preston North End, with a minute’s silence and a round of applause held in his honour.
In addition, Dawe also co-founded the investment firm TIMESTWO Investments in 2019 alongside Mike Beesley, former chief executive of Sanderson, to support entrepreneurs in the recruitment sector.
Main photo: Sanderson
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