Londoners have paid their respects to the long-term director of Tottenham Hotspur, Tony Berry.
He passed away iaged 81 after a long illness.
Hailed one of the businessman of his generation, Berry’s drive and determination led him to chair a company worth one billion pounds.
He quickly grew recruitment company Blue Arrow in the eighties and acquired more businesses including Brook Street.
Blue Arrow soon became a FTSE 100 company and the biggest recruitment business in the world.
He later became chair of Berry Recruitment Group, which turns over £70 million annually across 40 offices in England and Wales.
Football fans will also recognise Berry as a stickler for Tottenham Hotspur, enjoying a stint as club chairman in 1991-92.
The dad of two was born in Edmonton, London, where he captained the cricket club for a number of years, and met wife Marion on one of its tours.
His son Spencer said: “So many people attended the funeral to pay their respects – there was standing room only.
“We heard so many wonderful stories about him from all sorts of people.
“He was diagnosed with cancer around 20 years ago but it didn’t stop him. He had always been a man in a hurry.
“He loved meeting new people and buying companies, and realising their potential was a defining part of his success.”
Among those to pay tribute was Claude Littner, of TV’s The Apprentice who said: “Every so often you meet someone special. Tony Berry was special.
“He was always friendly, welcoming, funny, clever and a true gentleman. Friends for 30 years, wish it could have been longer.”
