Tributes have been paid to a a well-known and respected businessman who has died at the age of 69.

Phil Thompson, who owned security business Key Control Services in Farnworth, died suddenly on Sunday, February 19.

An adopted Boltonian but originally from Birmingham, Phil served as an activist for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) for more than 20 years, including two terms as North Manchester branch chairman and, following reorganisation was one of Greater Manchester’s Area leaders until January last year.

Phil continued to serve as FSB borough lead for Bury and Bolton.

Robert Downes, development manager at FBS, said: “Phil was a truly committed activist and his death is a real loss, not just for FSB, but the wider small business community across Greater Manchester where he was a well-known character, and for me personally too.

“He was both a colleague and a friend with who over the years I’ve shared many a good laugh over many a pint, all over the country wherever FSB work took us.

“He will be sorely missed by many people, and our thoughts are with his family.”  

The Bolton News: Phil ThompsonPhil Thompson (Image: FSB)

Phil hosted and supported hundreds of FSB events over the years from workshops to trade shows and was also involved in FSB campaigns from the Clean Air Zone to championing work to make public sector procurement easier for small firms to access.

His more recent work among small business community in Greater Manchester centred around his networking skills.

He tutored many of the organisation’s membership advisers on which events to attend in their patches.

Holly Bonfield, FSB North West regional chair and a Bolton resident, said: “Phil was part of the local and regional FSB scene for such a long time, starting as a Bolton branch member, quickly getting involved in branch events and sharing his expertise on all things security. 

“More recently, as Greater Manchester area lead, he contributed to various important policy areas, helping to shape the North West’s responses to the challenges we all face as small businesses. 

“Phil, and his contribution to regional small business thinking, will be very much missed by many of our members and the wider FSB staff team across the North West.”